Sri Azhagiya Singar Hamsa vahanam ~ the celestial connect

 

"விண்ணும் மண்ணும் ஒன்றாய் களிக்கும் திருவிழா."

 

In the ongoing Aani Brahmothsavam of Sri Azhagiya Singar, today is day 3 and in the evening it was Hamsa vahanam.  Took this photo as Sri Thelliya Singar purappadu on Hamsa vahanam had just crossed the Western Gopuram at Thiruvallikkeni, with the moon right on top.

 

Under the watchful moon and amidst countless devotees, the Lord graces the streets in all His glory. Every step is a blessing; every chant, an offering. 

When the heavens lend their moon, the temple its light, and devotees their shoulders, a procession becomes a celebration of faith.  

It is waxing phase and couple of days towards Full Moon (Pournami) – the sky was dark probably with rain-bearing clouds and Moon was a bit hazy.  This is a photo taken with Pixel Pro 8 as I tried to capture Sripadhamthangis (the bearers); people around; Hamsa Vahanam with Sri Azhagiya Singar, Triplicane Gopuram, dark sky and .. .. Moon !!   

The photograph perhaps  tells three stories at once:

•        The heavens – the moon watching over the festival.

•        The temple – represented by the illuminated gopuram.

•        The devotees – carrying the Lord through the streets.

 

For sure, most of us try to focus deep on Perumal and have a beautiful close-up picture – this captures the relationship between the divine, the temple, and the community. 

As could be deciphered, this  photograph has three distinct layers, which makes it visually interesting. 

·       Upper layer – the sky :  moon sitting high on purappadu; Clouds providing a natural spotlight and perhaps there is a Planet or Star – is that Jupiter !! below the moon.  

·       In the middle layer, there is the   illuminated gopuram emerging between the two ceremonial umbrellas.

·       Lower layer has the beautiful Golden Hamsa vahanam with Perumal – around it – Sripathamthangigal, Battacharyargal, devotees and more.   

However, the  Moon has neither the shape nor clarity .. .. the  bright "flare" or glowing patch around the moon is not entirely a camera defect. It is a combination of  thin clouds passing over the moon; moonlight scattering through the moisture in clouds, giving a soft glowing halo; high dynamic range; focus on Perumal creating lens flare and there was bright floodlight too.   

Interesting ! look forward to your feedback … thanks to ChatGPT for the editing and detailing part.

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
27.6.2026