As part of NamPerumal’s Thai Ther utsavam, On 9 February 2014, In evening Namperumal Purappadu happens on Yanai vahanam. The silver elephant vahanam of SriRangam is huge and heavy and needs a lot of people to carry it. For this reason Srimanthangies literally run all the way carrying the elephant on which is NamPerumal held tightly by Bhattar swami with another Bhattar swami holding Perumal’s umbrella. The Bhattars wear colourful silk turbans and flowing white garment in the fashion of elephant riders.
Today’s kolam theme were elephants of various kinds carrying lotuses for NamPerumal. The Uthira veedhi round was done earlier than usual as everyone ran. The procession left vahana mandapam at 8.00p.m.and on return the umbrella was lowered and Tiruvendhi kaapu was offered by Bhattar Swami after the offerings were made. This was done seated and when Tiruvendhi kaapu was offered the temple elephant trumpeted and when the yanai vahanam alighted on the platform built at a height everone clapped and cheered, Jaya VijayiBhava. After this exchange of garlands took place at Ul Andal sannidhi and then NamPerumal returned to Kanadi arai.
These are some of the Photos taken during Namperumal Purappadu
Writeup and Photography : Vyjayanthi and Sundararajan
