On, May 14, 2014; Jaya Varusha Chitra Swathi, as a part of the ongoing Brahmotsavam at Sri Varadaraja Perumal Thirukkoil, Kanchipuram, the famous Garuda Sevai is taking place. These are the live pictures from Kanchipuram
It gives me immence pleasure to scrible about the most famous/attractive vahana purappadu of Brahmotsavam, yes the Garuda Sevai. This started very early in the morning.
Garudan is addition to performing his kaimkaryam as Emperuman’s vehicle is also known as veda swaroopam. Swami Desikan had prayed to Garudan in Aushada giri in Thiruvendhipuram, who gave the Swami the moola mantharam and the deity of Lakshmi Hayagrivar.
Before our Varadar flies out from the kovil to bless us, at the main gopuram, our Lord is coverd for a short while with two kodais. This is known as Doddayacharya sevai. To understand and enjoy this, we need to go back in time.
Some 450 years back, one devotee by name Doddayacharya lived in the temple town of Sholingar and was engaged in kaimkaryam to Lord Narashima. He was very attached to Varadar of Kanchipuram. He never used to miss the Garuda sevai of Devathirajan during Brahmotsavam. One year due to advanced age was not able to make the trip to Kanchipuram. He was disturbed and on the day of Garuda sevai while having his bath in Thakkan kulam (local pond), early morning, he expressed his inability of not being perumal kovil and felt dejected.
At that time in Kanchipuram, our Perumal was about to leave the kovil. On not seeing his devotee amongst those assembled, our lord expressed his desire to leave Kanchipuram to give his dharshanam in Sholingar. Upon receiving this divine message, priest shielded our lord with the kodais. At this very moment, the acharyan in sholingar had the vision of Varadar in Garuda sevai in all its glory.
To commemorate this event, even today, our lord is hidden from public view for a short time. Later a temple was built on the banks of thakkan kulam.
During the purappadu, prabhanda ghosti recited moonraam thiruvanthaathi.
The Garuda Sevai Part 1 Can be viewed here: Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Koil Brahmotsavam: Garuda Sevai – Live Photos
 These are some of the photos taken during Garuda Sevai
Perumal in Vahana Mandappam
 
Perumal pin sevai
Mariyadhai in Nammazhwwar sannidhi
Mariyadhai in Swami desikan Sannidhi
Arulicheyal Ghoshti Thodakkam
Veda Parayanam Ghoshti
A scene near thoopul
Perumal coming to Thoopul Sannidhi
Offerings to Perumal from Swami Desikan sannidhi
Maalai being removed for mariyadhi to Swami Desikan
 
New maalai for Perumal
Veda Parayanam Ghoshti in Thoopul Sri Vedantha Desikan sannidhi
Sambhavanai to Veda Parayanam Ghoshti
Video of Kudai poduthal and kulukal and Vazhithi Thirunamamppatu in Thoopul Sri Vedantha Desikan Sannidhi  Taken after DevaPerumal proceeds after giving Mariyadhai for Swami Desikan during Garuda Sevai on 14-05-2014.
Writeup By : Sri Kaushik Sarathy
