Vasantha Uthsavam at Thiruvallikkeni - day 6 - 2014

Thiruvallikkeni is replete with Festivities.   Now it is time for Sri Nammalwar Uthsavam alongside  Vasantha Uthsavam.   It would amaze one to understand the significance of each Uthsavam and the care with which our elders have designed them.  There are palaces [bungalows] specially built for providing rest to Perumal on different occasions ~ at Thiruvallikkeni, there is Thavana Uthsava Bungalow situated in Thulasinga Perumal Koil Street, Komutti Bungalow in Peyalwar Koil Street and there was this  Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow in Venkatrangam Street ~ sad that the big spacious sprawling premises of Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow is no longer there……..

Today 7^th June 2014  is day 6.  ‘Vasantham ‘ is a season – a pleasant one at that.  Vasantham corresponds to Spring season.  While they have only 4 seasons in the West, we have six seasons.  Here it is Vasantha Ruthu also known as ‘Ilavenil’  ~ வசந்தம் என்பது பருவம். வசந்த ருது எனவும் இளவேனில் எனவும் பெயர் பெற்றது இது. சித்திரை. வைகாசி இரண்டையும் இளவேனில் என்பார்கள். வசந்தகாலம் எல்லோரும் ஆவலுடன் எதிர்பார்க்கும் பருவம். தளிர்க்கும், பூக்கும் தாவரங்கள்,பாடித் திரியும் பறவைகள் என கூர்ந்து நோக்கினால் மகிழ்ச்சியாகவும், வியப்பாகவும் இருக்கும் காலம் இது.

Spring is a season. We have seasons because the earth takes a year to move round the sun, which gives us light and warmth, and because the earth tilts at an angle of 23.5 degrees.  Spring is the season when one can see lots of flowers blossoming.  The sprawling Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow  in Venkatrangam Street that I remember was replete with many trees, fragrant flowers, ponds and a big well [nadai bavi kinaru] which had steps for getting inside. 

Here are some photos taken during Vasantha Uthsava purappadu today…. it was the most beautiful sitting posture ~ the Emperor in total command~ with right hand on the bent knee and left hand holding Kathayutham. Most of you can recall having darshan of Sri Parthasarathi in the same posture… yes, it was on the 2^nd day of Brahmothsvam – morning Seshavahanam. 

With regards – S. Sampathkumar