On, 18 April 2015, Manmadha Varusha Chithirai Revathi; was the important day of Viruppan Tirunal at SriRangam. It was the day of Chitra Ther. At 3.45 a.m. NamPerumal left in Purappadu from Kanadi Arai and reached Chitrai Ther mandapam by 4.15 a.m. Between 4.30a.m. and 5.15 a.m. in Meena lagnam NamPerumal ascended the chariot. He was astounding and wore the garland of parrots, makara kundalams, pearl-crown and other ornaments . Yesterday vastrams,garlands, the parrot which Andal holds were brought from Srivilliputtur. Likewise bahumans from SriRangam reach SriVilliputtur for AdiPuram when Ther happens at Srivilliputtur. Our sambandham with Andal is eternal. At 6.15 the crackers burst heralding the start of the chariot run.
VadamPidithal that is pulling of the thick ropes started to the chants of Govinda ! Gopala! Devotees were there everywhere and there was not a dull moment. If one group was chanting Tiruppavai another sang bhajans.Kids did kummi and kolaatam and adults couldn’t stop joining them. The seller of knick-knacks played his flute ,the balloon sellers with their flying balloons decorated the air. Cold water, butter-milk, lemonade, juices and food and snacks were supplied to the villagers visiting SriRangam for the Ther. After traversing the four Chitra Streets the chariot returned to Ther Mandapam by 9.45 a.m. This was followed by Theerthavari at Chandra Pushkarni. Even late evening devotees were climbing up the five layered beautifully decorated “Ther” to offer namaskarams to the spot where NamPerumal stood. The day question was Did you sevichu the Ther? Where is the Ther? The streets which were filled with coconut offerings and camphor lights were swept clean by evening. The shops selling bangles etc were doing brisk business and everyone was discussing the Therootam.It is a practise to take the path taken by the chariot once the chariot run is over,so people were seen doing pradakshinam of the Chitra veedhis.
The video Clips taken during Sri Namperumal Thiruther Purappadu
These are some of the photos taken during the occasion…
