the divine parasols ~ திருக்குடைகள் கைங்கர்யம்

திருக்குடைகள்  கைங்கர்யம்

In every purappadu – there are so many attractions – Emperuman – arulicheyal goshti, sripadhamthangigal, Archakas (battacharyas) and many many kainkaryabarargal – one among them doing a tough kainkaryam are the bearers of Thirukudai (the white decorative parasol – umbrellas) for Emperuman.  Ever wondered how difficult it is ? .. ………… please ponder. 

I have been posting in detail every year the grand occasion “Aippasi Thirumoolam’  hailing the birth of our Supreme ‘non-pareil’ Acarya Swami Manavala Mamunigal’.  On His Sarrumurai day in the morning Mamunigal has  grand purappadu with Sri Parthasarathi Perumal having  20 kudais.  The kudais  ~ white kudais (parasols) look great and are great attraction of Thondai mandalam Thirukachi, Thiruvallikkeni, Thiruevvul and many other divyadesams – in these places there will be no purappadu in divyadesams for Emperuman without kudai (for us Adisesha is the divine kudai for Emperuman)..

Life in a divyadesam is always exciting ! ~ it provides ample opportunities to be with Emperuman and do kainkaryam .. .. the primary challenge is one of involvement and being with Lord for long hours -  one can involve oneself in so many forms of Kainkaryams – there is the glorious Archaga kainkaryam, arulicheyal kainkaryam, sripadham kainkaryam, kainkaryam to bagavathas and those involved in service to Emperuman,  financial kainkaryam for specified projects, offering beautiful jewels, vasthrams,  doing service, providing floral garlands, providing fruits and offerings, cleaning, regulating, painting, and so many more avenues ~ some are physical and requires extraordinary commitment .. .. I have never tried this but have  always observed from close quarters wondering how difficult it is – ‘thirukudai kainkaryam’ – lifting the thirukudai is a massive effort – the weight is at the top as one controls and manages its weight (more so with wind blowing ferociously) as one walks closer to Emperuman covering Him !!

There is more to thirukudai kainkaryam – during purappadu, they carry the thirukudai on madi (the thick cloth tightly worn around the waist) – and in vahana purappadu – thirukudaigal are placed on the sideboard of the vahanam and is held by Battacharyas.  Holding them is an art and is challenging too – it is tough but graciously done by Thirukovil Battacharyargal.  Now if you have not still visualized this – understand the kudai on the land (standing on the lengthy stem) is lifted first to waist height – then from one to another, dexterously lifted chin-high or more, over the shoulders  – almost over the head.  It would appear impossible to lift an object so elaborate and weighty at the top by holding the stem at the bottom and holding aloft of a few moments – then with subtle balance, gently place it on the pattarai (side board of the vahanam).

Today being Ratha Sapthami, it was Surya prabhai vahanam – and here are couple of photos showing kainkaryabarar Sri Gopi lifting the thirukudai and effortlessly placing it on the vahanam – the last photo shows Periyamurai battacharyars holding the kudai during the purappadu.

In our daily routine we fail to appreciate many things – and when Perumal comes on our Streets to give darshan – people still rush in their daily chores without realizing the effort and the kainkaryam of so many people around.  We bow obeisance to all those selfless souls engaged in the kainkaryam to our Emperuman.

With regards to all the kainkaryabarars – appreciating your great committed kainkaryam.

~adiyen Srinivasa dhasan [Mamandur Veervalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar]

1^st Feb 2020.