18/03/2016, Panguni Punarvasu was the second day of Panguni Utthiram utsavam at Kanchi Perumal koil. Varadan was decked in golden ornaments and sported a long braid with rakodi surrounded by orange kanakambaram flowers. He wore a peacock feather reminding us that He was Krishna. The golden champaka chain formed the outer layer with chains of gold with pendants of different sizes giving a button-like effect. So well was the alankaram done that it was difficult to see the colour of Perumal’s vastram.
Malayala Nachiyar wore yellow silk with green border. The Kanchi way of tying sarees for Thayar makes the border come pleated at the waist. She wore a long braid with all accessories. Ubhaya nachimars wore yellow too and as the procession moved along Sannidhi Street devotees craned their neck to enjoy the Divine Beauties again and again.
After returning oonjal took place while the nadhaswaram played. They were then taken inside the mandapam inside the hundred-pillared mandapam. Narayana sooktham, verses from Swami Desikan’s Sristuthi, Bhu-sthuthi, Godha sthuthi, Yathiraja Sapthathi and many other sacred chants were offered at His Feet along with Tulasi before the beginning of aradhanai.
Perumal Theertham, Srisathari and prasadams were distributed to everyone present. Other temples should follow this system too so that devotees get Srisathari without discrimination. After ‘padiyetram’ (which happens only for Perumal and Ubhaya nachimars) Perumal and Consorts and Malayala Nachiyar returned to ‘kanadi-arai’ after harathi at Tondaradipodi entrance.
The following are the photos taken during the Utsavam:
Photos: Sri Elangadu Ranganatha Chakravarthy, Write – up: Smt Vyjayanthi Rajan
