Thoopul Swami Desikan Manmadha Varusha Thirunakshatra Mahotsavam Day 4 : Hamsa Vahanam

September 19, 2015

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Yesterday, 18/9/2015 was Day-4 of Thoopul Swami Desikan’s Manmatha varusha Tirunakshatra mahotsavam. In the morning at about 7.30 a.m. swami Desikan came as Paramapadanathan. Dressed in vadamali(dark-) pink silk veshti with green border with one leg folded and the other dangling swami was decked with kasu malais and other ornaments. There were vangis(armlets) and pendants studded with gems.haand the pin sevai(back sevai) revealed panchayudha arnal (hip ornament ) and pendants. Swami Desikan was a perfectionist and so was the alankaram.

After visiting Kanchi swami Desikan returned to Thoopul.We went to Thoopul at about 10.00 a.m. At the entrance the hamsa vahanam was being fixed for the evening purappadu. Close to the temple there is Parakala Muth which is undergoing renovation. We had darshan of Hayagreeva and swami Desikan and went inside swami Desikan’s temple. Deepaprakasar and Maragathavalli Thayar are the reigning deities of Tiruthanka or Thoopul but it is better known as the avathara sthalam of swami Desikan. We had another look at swami in his paramapadanatha tirukolam. Preparations were going on for swami’s tirumanjanam. Water was being filled in huge silver gangalams, the dravyams (materials) like milk, curds, honey, raw coconuts, sandal and turmeric powder were kept in order. All the fruits offered by devotees were being cut . A congregation of devotees came from Chennai and chanted swami Desikan’s stotras. As the curtain opened we were in for a surprise-tirumanjanam would be done to Maragathavalli Thayar it being a Friday followed by swami Desikan’s tirumanjanam. Silver mirror, chatram (umbrella), chamaram and fan upacharams were done for Thayar and swami. The tirumanjanam was beautiful to behold specially the sahasradhara tirumanjanam. Tulasi garlands, jasmine flowers adorned both and ghatiyam was recited. Everyone present felt blessed to be present in Thoopul that day and receive theertham, srisathari and prasadams. One thing praiseworthy about Kanchi divyadesams is the systematic distribution of prasadams.

If Maragathavalli blessed swami in the morning, Perundevi came down for sukravara purappadu at Varadarajaswami temple.She wore the same coloured silk garment that swami Desikan wore in the morning. Her hair alankaram was captivating. The long braid with kunjalam and rakodi and a bun on the head with champaka and jasmine flowers was beautiful. After reaching the mandapam in the nandavanam behind Chakrathazhwar sannidhi harathi and prasadams were offered. Everyone present got theertham srisathari and prasadam(sakkarai pongal and crisp vadai).She moved in pradakshinam to the accompaniment of Vedam and siriyatirumadal chanting. Her first kataksham was on swami Desikan as soon as She emerged. Nammazhwar, Ramanuja received Her kataksham too. She was in pathi ulathal when swami Desikan arrived at Her doorstep(gopura vasal). Everyone ran to enjoy swami Desikan on Hamsa vahanam.Swami was wearing a new crown of pearls and wore white silk, Hamsam represents acharyas. Like a hamsa separates milk and water, acharyas discard the useless and impart the right knowledge to shishyas. They tell us about our sambandam (relation) with Perumal. Who else can be a better example than swami Desikan?

These are some of the photos taken during the occasion