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Thursday, October 19, 2017

Swami Manavala Mamunigal day 3 : Grand Deepavali purappadu 2017

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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