Thavana Uthsava Bungalow ~Sri Parthasarathi Nachiyar Thirukolam 2016

At Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, Theppothsavam [float] is now on and immediately after, comes Thavana Uthsavam starting on 15^th Mar 2016.

Visitors to Chennai should not visit the grandeur of the stately building complex in which Madras High Court is located.  Read that the  Supreme Court of Madras was situated in a building opposite Beach railway station.  In July 1892, Court moved to the present building,  inaugurated by the then  Madras Governor, Beilby Lawley.  Chennai, houses more than 2000 heritage building, some of them are around 200 years and more old, many of them are in dilapidated  condition and slowly vanishing.  In the bustling mada veethis of Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, which has apartments built wall to wall – lies this structure, now looking new but carrying tales of centuries.  Often there are references to   Indo-saracenic architecture, a  "stylistic hybrid"  architecture, combining traditional indian architectural elements, like scalloped arches and onion domes, with traditional british architecture.

Not sure whether it would fall under such classification, and seemingly this building is not a heritage building – called bungalow, this one has undergone some structural changes over the years………. earlier it had two ‘goris’ [minars] ~ one can reach the top of the minars through the steps provided one is not afraid of bats.  Cricket was played in the sands before the moat.  When it was the time of Perumal’s visit, enthusiastic residents would draw water from the well, sprinkle on the sands that surround the raised structure, colourful kolams will be drawn adding to the religious atmosphere.  A couple of decades ago, one of those gories fell down, the other one remains – the building  structure stands reconstructed -  the enthusiasm  remains.

Thiruvallikkeni is replete with Festivities.  After the Theppothsavam, comes the Thavana Uthsavam.  It would amaze one to understand the significance of each Uthsavam and the care with which our elders have designed them.  There are palatial buildings [bungalows] specially built for providing rest to Perumal on different occasions ~ at Thiruvallikkeni, there is Thavana Uthsava Bungalow situated in Thulasinga Perumal Koil Street (the one described in earlier paras), Komutti Bungalow [Saraswathi Bandaram place] in Peyalwar Koil Street and Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow in Venkatrangam Street ~ sad that the big spacious sprawling premises of Vasantha Uthsava Bungalow is no longer there……..

During the ThavanaUthsavam, Perumal takes rest under the roof made of thavanam – an aromatic herb.   Dhavanam (Tamil: தவனம்) [Artemisia pallens], is an aromatic herb, in genus of small herbs or shrubs, xerophytic in nature.  This herb pervades great aroma and provides coolness.   During the Uthsavam, a kooralam [roof] made of  Dhavanam  is set up over the resting place of the Lord.

There is annual Thavanauthsavam for various Emperumans ~ further on Ekkattuthangal day, day 5 of Brahmothsavam,  Sri Rama Navami occasions, Perumal visits this place.

4^th Feb 2o16 was day 5 of Sri Parthasarathi brahmothsavam - the most beautiful Emperuman enraptured us  in “Nachiyar Thirukkoalam” – dressed as Ezhilmigu Thayar in a grand sitting posture.....here are some photos taken on that day at Thavana uthsava bungalow.

AdiyenSrinivasadhasan.

12^th Mar 2016