Sri Parthasarathi Perumal thavanothsa mantapam day 5 - 2016

Sri Parthasarathi Perumal thavanothsavam day 5 - 2016 (the mantap)

I recently posted on the "stylistic hybrid"  architecture, the minar at Triplicane Thulasinga Perumal Kovil Street.  It was an expansive space – a raised structure made of wall – a good looking mantap.  When Perumal takes rest in the mantap – be it Thirumanjanam or after, hundreds of people can have darshan from all sides.  The roads surrounding the structure were sandy roads with lots of flowery plants.  

I have posted much on the minar(s) style of architecture –  remember in 1970s, it was a grand cricketing ground for us and during Uthsavams, people will so actively draw water from the deep well – pour on the ground, kolams would be drawn and the whole place would sport a festive look.  There were some ‘Arali’ plants – the red ones – and an old woman (one could easily think of her to be a nonagenarian) would pluck them to make lovely garlands for Perumal.  Arali (Nerium Oleander) is an evergreen shrub in the  family Apocynaceae, toxic in its parts. It is so widely cultivated that no precise region of origin has been identified, though southwest Asia has been suggested.  It would look ornamental and fragrant too – the tender bud (mottu) can be plucked, put in water and next morning one would happily see a beautiful flower.

19^th Mar 2016 is the 5^th and concluding day of Sri Parthasarathi thavanothsavam.  Here are some more photos depicting the mantap, Perumal taking rest and the thavana kooralam. Dhavanam (Tamil: தவனம்) [Artemisia pallens],  an aromatic herb, in genus of small herbs or shrubs, xerophytic in nature. 

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Thavanothsavam day 5 - Sri Parthasarathi (Ulpurappadu) 2016

I recently posted on the "stylistic hybrid"  architecture, the minar at Triplicane Thulasinga Perumal Kovil Street.   It was all about Thavana Uthsava bungalow – its minars style of architecture – the way people celebrated the annual Thavana Uthsavam and so on. 

During this Thavanothsavam, 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.

19^th Mar 2016 is the 5^th and concluding day of Sri Parthasarathi thavanothsavam.  Morning there was purappadu of Perumal to this place, followed by Thirumanjanam, evening there was purappadu inside the bungalow – more of Perumal enjoying the pleasant cool breeze and then there was Periya mada veethi purappadu.

Here are some photos Perumal purappadu inside the Thavana Uthsava bungalow.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Sri Parthasarathi Thavana Uthsavam day 5 : 2016 [Morning purappadu]

Today (19^th Mar 2016)  is day 5 and concluding day of Sri Parthasarathi Thavanothsavam.  This morning at 0900 am, Perumal had purappadu to Thavana Uthsava bungalow and here are some photos taken.  In the goshti, Thiruviratham of Swami Nammalwar was rendered.  In the evening there will be  purappadu inside the bungalow and then around 0630 pm there will be periya mada veethi purappadu.

திருவல்லிக்கேணியில் எல்லா பெரிய உத்சவங்களிலும் ஐந்தாம் நாள் ஸ்வாமி நம்மாழ்வார் அருளிச்செய்த 'திருவிருத்தம்' சேவிக்கப்பெறுகிறது. ருக்வேத சாரமான திருவிருத்தம்  100 பாடல்கள் கொண்ட  அந்தாதி; கட்டளைக்கலித்துறைப் பாடல்களால் ஆனது.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan

Sri Varadha Rajar Theppam 2016 at Thiruvallikkeni

The excitement is drawing to a close ~ today 14^th Mar 2016 is the concluding day of  Float festival [theppam].   Today it was Sri Varadha Rajar. 

Sure you know the puranic legend of ‘Gajendra moksham [salvation of elephant Gajendra]’ ~ when   Lord MahaVishnu Himself  came down to earth to protect Gajendra (elephant) from the death clutches of Makara (Crocodile).  Gajendra the King of elephants, was attacked and caught by a crocodile and death seemed imminent.  Gajendra had been rendering service to the Lord by offering Lotus and when he appealed to God to protect him, Maha Vishnu appeared on Garuda vahanam and saved the elephant by killing the crocodile with his ‘Chakram’.   It also explains that one who falls under the divine feet of Lord seeking salvation will surely be taken care of.

The re-enactment of Gajendra moksha takes place during the full moon in the month of Aadi.   The Sarrupadi [alankaram] for Lord Varadhar for theppam was ‘Gajendra moksha thirukolam’.   Lord Varadhar appearing in the form whence he saved  the devoted elephant from the savage attack of the mugger crocodile.  It was the posture of Lord having released his chakra to save the elephant;   One of the arms was in prayoga posture, having released the chakra – holding the azhi [the sangu / conch]  in the other, holding Gatha in one and abhaya hastham on the fourth thirukaram.  It was indeed a great darshan of the Lord. 

Appropriate to recall the Thirumozhi pasuram of Thirumangai Mannan on Lord Varadharjar.

மீனமர் பொய்கை நாண்மலர் கொய்வான் வேட்கையினோடு சென்றிழிந்த,*

கானமர் வேழம் கையெடுத் தலறக் கராவதன் காலினைக் கதுவ,*

ஆனையின் துயரம் தீரப்புள்ளூர்ந்து சென்று நின்றாழிதொட் டானை,*

தேனமர் சோலை மாடமாமயிலைத்  திருவல்லிக்கேணிக் கண்டேனே.*

The elephant Gajendra had entered the beautiful pond where new flowers were available; the crocodile made a beastly attack.  Elephant lifted its trunk and trumpeted seeking the help of God; who immediately came to its help astride the bird [Garudan]; that God who used his Chakra for assuaging the elephant  is seen at Thiruvallikkeni, the place having well built houses and densely surrounded by pleasant fruit bearing trees.

Here are some photos depicting the aerial view of  Theppam, Thirukolam and one taken during the hastham purappadu earlier to make you experience the thirukolam better. 

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.