Davanam is a fragrant herb used in garlands and is available in plenty before the onset of summer. So in the Tamil months of Maasi/Panguni we have ‘Dhavana utsavams’ at temples. At Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple it is a three day festival. February 23rd 2016 was Day-1 of Davana utsavam at Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple.
In the morning at about 9.30 there was Tirumanjanam for Varadan and His Consorts and Perundevi Thayar at the mandapam infront of ‘kanadi-arai’.
In the evening Perumal and Thayar emerged out of the mandapam in sarvalankaram and proceeded to ‘Dorai Thottam’ located behind Chakrathazhwar Sannidhi. Thayar was in a parrot-green silk saree with purple border. One could not stop looking again and again at Her ornaments and bejewelled braid encircled with flowers. There was a green bunch of dhavanam at the back. Perumal and His Consorts were equally resplendent and sported dhavanam too. As we followed the Divya Dampathis to the ‘Friday Mandapam’ we notice kolams done elaborately and in pairs on the pathway. After reaching the mandapam which had dhavanam hanging around, aradhanam was performed to Perumal and Thayar. The gathering was huge and everyone was given Perumal Theertham, Srisathari and five kinds of prasadams.
Then ‘pathi-ulathal'(Perumal and Thayar are brought round the mandapam thrice) took place and devotees lined on both sides to look closely at the Divya Dampathis. The procession then moved along ‘Azhwar Tiruchutru’ stopping at sannidhis to accept offerings before entering the temple. After ‘Harathi’ at Tondaradipodi, Thayar was taken to Her Sannidhi and Perumal and Ubhaya nachimars went to ‘kanadi-arai’.
The following are the photos taken during the Utsavam:
Photos: Sri Elangadu Ranganatha Chakravarthy & Write – up: Smt Vyjayanthi Rajan
THANK YOU SO MUCH.I have missed so long this fantastic web site .I am so exited as if I worshipped lord varadha & thayar in person
once again thank you
With regards bhama