Today, February 4; Vijaya Varusha Thai Uthiratadhi, was Day 1 of Bhoopathi Thirunal at Sri Ranganathaswamy Divya Desam, Srirangam. Bhoopathi means King and this utsavam was started by Veerabhupathi Udayar of Vijayanagara Empire. His birthday was on Thai Punarpoosam and this day was chosen for the Ther (Rathotsavam). The day before that is on February 2, 2014 at 7.15pm, Senai Mudaliar (Vishvaksena) and Siriya Thiruvadi (Hanuman) came in purappadu and Mrith sangraham was done from the Bilva tree in Thayar sannidhi. Mud is collected for Palika sthapanam (seeds are sowed and sprouted). Raksha Bandhanam was done for the Bhattar swami that day. Then on February 3, 2014 that is yesterday at 7.00 pm, Senai Mudaliar did nagara sodanai that is checking of Uthira Veedhis which is where Perumal’s Thai Thirunal takes place. Today morning Dwajarohanam that is raising of the Garuda Flag was done in Makara Lagnam between 5.00 and 5.30 am. From 8.30am – 1 pm, devotees had darshan of Namperumal in the Mirror-Room and of Periya Perumal at the Sanctum Sanctorum.
In the evening between 3.30pm and 5 pm, Beri Thadanam took place. Beri Thadanam is a ceremony heralding the start of the utsavam and inviting devathas to participate. Then at 6.30pm, Namperumal came with Ubhaya Nachimars in Thirushivikai. Shibika means tent. This tent is placed after Perumal and Ubhaya Nachimars come out of Ranga Ranga Gopuram. First comes the Divya Prabhandha Goshti as Perumal runs after the Divya Prabhandhams wheras the Vedams follow Perumal. It is a sight to behold. The SriVaishnavas chanting melodiously infront of and behind Namperumal, the devotees decorating the veedhis with beautiful kolams and everyone looking for a vantage point to see Namperumal, it is sheer bliss to be part of the festivity.
Tomorrow morning, purappadu is at 5.30 am in Otrai Prabhai. He will be in the mandapam in Thayar Sannidhi between 6.30 am and 4 pm, evening purappadu will take place at 6.30 pm from Vahana Mandapam on Hamsa Vahanam.
The following are some of the photographs taken earlier today…
Write-up and photographs by Vyjayanthi and Sundararajan
