Today, April 13, 2014; Vijaya Varusha Panguni Uthiram, Aarattu Festival, also called Theerthavari in Tamil, took place in a grand manner at Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Aarattu is theerthavari festival where Lord Padmanabhar, Lord Narasimhar, Lord Krishnar will be taken in Garuda Vahanam from Padmanabharswamy temple to Shangumugham Beach (Trivandrum). The festival started at around 4:30 pm. Then, police authorities showed their respect through horse ride and march past. Children followed by taking colored flags. The temple elephant “Priyadarshini” and small new baby elephant also started proceeding to the beach. Then came, Travancore Royals with swords and other weapons. Maharaja proceeded to the beach by walk carrying the ancestorial sword. The three Lords carried by Brahmins proceeded towards the beach followed by other near by temple Gods. Normally, Varahamurthy Perumal, Thiruvallam Perumal, Thirupadapuram Perumal will also be participating and will be mounted on the temple elephant. All Lords were beautifully decorated with flowers mounted on Garudazhwar. After theerthavari at the Beach, they proceed back to the temple around 9 pm and crackers are busted during the entry.
The following are some of the photographs taken earlier today…
Photography and information by Smt Rajalakshmi Srinivasagopalan
