Heard
of ‘Chrysopogon zizanioides’ and wonder what is has to do with a Temple
related post, especially one on the last day of Sri Parthasarathi Swami
Brahmothsavam at Thiruvallikkeni.
Special
brahmothsavam of Sri Parthasarathi Perumal has just concluded. The brahmothsavam is a grand 10 day affair with
Emperuman having purappadu in many vahanams including Sesha, Simha, Garuda,
Hamsa, Hanumantha, Yaanai, Kuthirai and more .. thiruther (juggernaut) captures
the eye of everyone. . .. the uthsavam concludes with
siriya thiruther.
It is ‘Chinna Thiruther’ famously known as ‘Vettiver
Chapparam’… the scientific name of
vetti ver is - ‘Chrysopogon zizanioides’, a type of grass of Poaceae family,
native to India. Also known as ‘khus’ Vettiver can grow up to 1.5
metres high and form clumps as wide. This Ther is known as ‘Vettiver Chapparam’
– for there used to be so many sheets made of this grass placed on the temple
car. One could feel the divine fragrance from a distance
itself. Understand that the stem of the grass vettiver is cut,
smoothened and made into a mat. These mats were earlier even used in
houses and as the air passes through it, there would be fragrance and natural
cooling of air. (this time there was not much of vettiver though !). In
the purappadu - Thiruvarangathu Amuthanaar’s ‘Ramanuja Noorranthathi’ was
rendered.
The celebrations start from Selvar uthsavam, followed by Ankurarpanam, raising of the flag (dwajarohanam) – vahana purappadu, and lowering (avarohanam) of the flag marking the culmination. On day 10 happens dwadasa thiruvarathanam and Sapthavarnam during which Thiruvaimozhi is recited. The rituals associated with the Uthsavam have so beautifully been ingrained by our elders.
Today, 12.2.2021 is the tenth day of Sri Parthasarathi Brahmothsavam at Thiruvallikkeni [Triplicane] divyadesam and here are some photos taken during the night purappadu. After the siriya thiruther [vettiver chapparam] – the Battar who conducts the yagna is returned home with paraphernalia (with temple maryathai including thiruchinnam and kudai].
~ அடியேன்
ஸ்ரீனிவாச தாசன்.
Mamandur Veeravali Srinivasan Sampathkumar
12.2.2021
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