At SriRangam utsavams take place throughout the year but Panguni Uthsavam also known as Adhi Bramhotsavam occupies pride of place mainly because of Perumal-Thayar Serthi on Panguni Utthiram day. It is called Adhi because it was the utsavam which was celebrated first or could we say it is because it The First among utsavams. Brahma started it on the day SriRanga vimana emerged from the ocean of milk in Satya lokam. Then the Ikswakus celebrated it when they obtained the SriRanga Vimanam as their wealth. Sri Ramachandra who took avatharam in this vamsam(clan) gifted this to His favourite devotee Vibhishana.Vibhishana who was carrying this Vimana stopped at Sesha Peetam an island formed by two Kaveris to perform the Panguni Utsavam. Once the utsavam was over Vibhishana wanted to carry the Vimanam to Lanka but Ranganatha desired to live on this island.The devotee had to agree and the Lord reclined facing His bhaktha’s country.Thenceforth SeshaPeetam becameSriRangam.
So it is to Vibhishana that we owe the presence of SriRangam. That is why two days prior to Panguni Uthsavam (3.04.2014) when Senai Mudaliar went  to Thayar Sannidhi for Tirumulai Vibhisanazhwar accompanied Him.After raksha bhandhanam was  done for Periya Perumal,NamPerumal and Vishvaksena , Vibhishana and Visvaksena proceeded  in purappadu to the Bilva tree in the precincts of Ranganachiyar Sannidhi.Bilva is sacred to Mahalakshmi and it was under this tree that she lay hidden during the Muslim invasions. After Mrith(holy mud) was  collected for palikkai the procession returned  to the sanctum sanctorum.Known as Mrith Sangrahanam this mud is used for sprouting nava dhanyams. This happened at about 8.00 p.m.
Today 04.04.2014 at about 7.00p.m. Senai Mudaliar(Vishvaksenar) left for “Nagara Sodanai” on the four Chitra streets. NamPerumal will be taking this route during Panguni Brahmotsavam. Before a king or a minister travels police and security forces inspect the route.Here the King of the universe has travel plans so His Commander-in-chief does an inspection of the road and ascertains the well-being of the subjects. Tommorow the Garuda flag will be hoisted in the morning heralding the start of the ten-day festival.
Writeup : Vyjayanthi Sundararajan
