Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple Vaikasi Brahmotsavam – Day 6

Durmukhi Vaikasi Moolam (May 24th 2016) morning Varadaraja Perumal along with Ubhaya nachimars left in purappadu in thanga chapparam. Chapparam is a kind of mobile stage with a mandapam. At the stroke of 4.00 a.m. DevaPerumal dressed up as Sri Venugopala left Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple along with His Consorts in a golden chapparam in purappadu.Venugopala is Krishna with His flute and cow and calf.

This utsavam should be enjoyed after Tirumbukal that is return to the temple. Devotees waited for Him 10.00 a.m. looking out to see if they could spot the signature white umbrellas. When the elephants arrived they were relieved. The adage goes that the clanging of the bells precedes the arrival of the elephant. Here the elephants announce the arrival of Perumal. After the chapparam was placed in the vahana mandapam after the divya prabhandhams and Veda samarpanam were over the curtains were drawn. After this ‘pathi-ulathal’ took place. Venugopala seated on a golden cow had a flute on His lips and a calf looking up at Him. The Master player of the flute moved slowly listening to music and allowing devotees to enjoy His alankaram. The long braid at the back with a big rakodi and hair embellishments plus a bun at the side with pearlstrands and His signature peacock feather along with a tiara, the numerous jewels adorning His Tirumeni and the slow movements took us back to Vrindavanam where not only humans but also animals and birds got enthralled by the sound of His flute. Harathi took place at Tondaradipodi. Venugopala moved to ‘kanadi-arai mandapam.’ After a while Tirumanjanam took place for Varadan and His Consorts and was over by about 2.00p.m.

Durmukhi Vaikasi Moolam(May 24th 2016) was the 6th day of Brahmotsavam at Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal koil. In the evening Varadan ascended the golden elephant vahanam at about 5.30p.m.and blessed devotees who were present in the temple and on the route taken for purappadu.

The yaanai vahanam of Perumal koil is seated and the legs are not visible. Between its folded trunk were placed coconut palm leaves which forms part of its diet. Perumal is often compared to an elephant. Both attract attention. Who is not excited on seeing an elephant? An elephant is pleasing to behold and both the young and the old keep looking at it again and again. Perumal’s Soundaryam is bewitching. One never gets satisfied by His darsan and keeps wanting to see Him again and again. He is ‘Aparyapthamudhan’. The elephant is a proud animal and so is our Varadan. He is proud of Surrendered souls and declares that even if prappanas do wrongs they can be redeemed by prayaschitham. An elephant bends down to carry people. Perumal bends down to lift us to Srivaikuntam. Like an elephant He takes instructions from His bhakthas and takes up even the role of a messenger .

The sitting posture of Varadan’s elephant vahanam illustrates this quality of the Lord. This Perumal was worshipped by Gajendrazhwar and Varadan resides on the Hasthigiri (elephant hill). As Varadan came on the yaanai-vahanam surrounded by priests and kids and one aradhakar swami dressed as a mahout in white flowing robes and a white turban, led by two elephants, the horse, the music makers, the prabhandha goshti and protected by the vedaparayana goshti, devotees prostrated, and made their offerings of fruits, sugar candy and vastrams.

Yesal took place near Ekambareshwara temple and Perumal returned to the temple at midnight.

To view the previous days Utsavam please visit:

• Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple Selvar Utsavam & Vaikasi Brahmotsavam Ankurarpanam
• Vaikasi Brahmotsavam Commences At Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple
• Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple – Vaikasi Brahmotsavam: Day 2
• Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Koil Brahmotsavam: Garuda Sevai (Updated)
• Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple Vaikasi Brahmotsavam – Day 3 (Evening)
• Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple Vaikasi Brahmotsavam – Day 4
• Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple Vaikasi Brahmotsavam – Day 5

The following are the photos taken during the Utsavam:

Morning – Venugopalan Thirukolam

Noon – Ekantha Sevai

Evening – Yaanai Vahanam

Photos: Sri Krishna Durai, Write – up: Smt Vyjayanthi Rajan, Video: Sri TE Srinath