Deepavali ‘the festival of lights’ is always enchanting –
an occasion to wear new clothes, eat sweets, burst crackers, be with friends
and relatives – a festivity which brings enjoyment…. – the festival was grandly
celebrated all over the country today (29th Oct 2016). In
the recent years, there has been some attempt to wean away people as some keep
saying that ‘enthusiasm towards fireworks is going down; spiralling prices have
forced people to buy less of firecrackers; the pollution awareness
is swaying public away from crackers and the like……….’. In today’s
context, at some places, people get glued to the cinemas and other special
programmes the multitudes of TV channels present…. nothing to speak about
reluctance to call it Hindu festival, still encashing by showing movies and
cine-related programmes calling it ‘holiday – special’ ~ this year, it was
Deepa Oli Thirunaal… !!!
In neighbouring Srilanka, National Deepavali Festival was
held on Friday evening under the patronage of Sri Lankan President Maithripala
Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The
President along with the Prime Minister giving priority to the religious
ceremony offered their best wishes to the Hindu people in Sri Lanka, reports
the Colombo Page. Wickremesinghe issued a message on the occasion and said that
Deepavali is the Festival of Lights that expels darkness when symbolic lights
are lit in Hindu homes. The Prime Minister said, "In a world filled with
darkness that divides us along ethnic, religious and political affiliations,
Deepavali reminds us that we should strive to light the fire of fellowship
among all mankind." He added that the
festival assures us that there is hope of good triumphing over evil.
Down under, Australian
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wished happy “Deepavali” to the Indian
community living in Australia, saying the festival is a powerful reminder that
our society is greatly enriched by its diversity. Stating that Diwali is one of
the most important events of the Hindu calender, observed since ancient time,
Turnbull said the occassion was “deeply embedded in traditional culture, when
families and friends gather together to light diyas, share gifts, and celebrate
the triumph of light over darkness.”
Thiruvallikkeni, the abode of Lord Venkata Krishnan is
different – it boasts of the Temple sung by 3 Azhwars ~ innumerable days of
festivals; crowds thronging to have darshan of Lord Parthasarathi inside the
Temple, and more gathering to have His darshan during the ‘thiruveethi
purappadus’. Each year, Deepavali coincides with the 10 day uthsavam
of Swami Manavalamamunigal, the Great Acharyar of Srivaishnavism; our beloved Acharyar propogated Thennacharya
Sampradhayam. Generally it would be 4th or 5th day
of the Uthsavam and this year it was today 29th Oct 2016 –
4th day of Sri Manavala Mamunigal Uthsavam.
On this day, Triplicanites eagerly look forward to the evening purappadu
of Num Acharyar with Sri Parthasarathi.
In Chennai and in all parts of Tamil Nadu, it is not
unusual to have rains during this season.
Last year, Chennai reeled under excessive rains. Last year on Deepavali day, when purappadu
began, at South Mada Street, there was deluge of fire crackers and colourful
fireworks that lit the sky. .. but at adjacent TP Koil St., rain
interrupted and there was to be chinna mada veethi purappadu only.
This year the grand purappadu of Swami Manavalamunigal
with Sri Parthasarathi Swami beaming His resplendent splendour started
around 19.00 hrs – it was the lighting provided by the fireworks of various
hues. There were ‘scores of 10000
wallahs, the sky lit with latest fireworks’ - with hundreds walking along
having His darshan and enjoying the fireworks.
Here are some photos taken during the purappadu
Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
29th Oct 2016.
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