Thiruvallikkeni Azhagiya Singar Garuda Sevai 2014

The Aani Brahmothsavam of Swami Thelliya Singar [Azhagiya Singar] is now on at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam and today 8^th July 2014 is  the third day of the Uthsavam – a very important day ~ it is Garuda Vahanam for Perumal.  Garuda is depicted as having the golden body of a strong person, has a white face, wings,  prominent beak, wears a crown – massive, strong – and more than anything else – ever devoted to Sriman Narayanan, carrying Him on his shoulders all the time. His devotion and being close to Emperuman all the time – Garuda, is admired as ‘Periya Thiruvadi’

Brahmothsavam is a grand festivity – each day it is different Vahanam, and Perumal has classy alankarams … on Garuda vahanam day, thousands gather early in the morning to catch glimpse of the Lord as he comes out of the gate (Gopura vasal darsanam).  On Garuda Sevai day, people from far and away come to the temple, offer vasthram (new clothes), place before Lord cocoanut, fruits & other offerings and have darshan of Lord in Garuda vahanam.

The Brahminy kite  is considered to be the contemporary representations of Garuda; Indonesia adopts a more stylistic approach  depicting a Javanese eagle (being much larger than a kite). Here are some photos of Garuda Sevai purappadu taken at Gangai Kondan Mandapam at Thiruvallikkeni where mid-way Perumal halts during all major purappadus

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan

8^th July 2014.