Swami Manavala Mamunigal
day 3 : Grand Deepavali purappadu 2017
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 on 18th
Oct 2017. 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… !!!
Now I have to say I
haven’t read all 24,000 verses in the epic poem about Lord Rama’s return to
Ayodhya. But I do know the story of his homecoming from the many Diwali
celebrations I have attended in my own constituency over the years. Values of good conduct – ‘dharma’ – taking
the right path and ensuring that good triumphs over evil. Values of hope,
optimism, of forgiveness – of the new beginnings and clean slates represented
by the Hindu New Year as people wear new clothes and say prayers for the year
ahead.
Not any ordinary
politician here ~ the words of a Prime Minister of a big nation that of UK PM
Ms Theresa May at a reception to celebrate Diwali last year. His Excellency Dinesh Patnaik,
Acting Indian High Commissioner and Jitendra Patel, Trustee of Neasden Temple
were joined by the Prime Minister in the traditional lamp lighting ceremony. The
Prime Minister was also joined by the Secretary of State for International
Development, Priti Patel, Secretary of State for Local Government and
Communities, Sajid Javid, Lord Gadhia and Foreign Office Minister Alok Sharma. In
neighbouring Srilanka, National Deepavali Festival was held last year under the patronage of Sri Lankan President
Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. 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 18th Oct 2017 – 3rd day of
Sri Manavala Mamunigal Uthsavam and hence it was Sri Peyalwar’s Moonram
Thiruvanthathi during the purappadu that lasted over 3 hours.
On this Deepavali 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. This year there were
to be no rains ! ~ the grand purappadu
of Swami Manavalamunigal with Sri Parthasarathi Swami beaming His
resplendent splendour started around 19.15 hrs and concluded around 22.2o hrs–
it was unbridled enthusiasm displaying 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. Blessed are we to be part of all these living
in divyadesams.
Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
19th Oct 2017
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