Pallava Utsavam At Kanchi Sri Devarajaswami Temple – Day 3

29th March was day-3 of Pallava utsavam at Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal koil. The hundred-pillar mandapam was elaborately decorated with fresh mango leaves thoranams and perfumed flower garlands. The mandpam where Perumal stands appeared like a colourful flower mandapam. Pranatharthihara Varadar and Varadan with Consorts came to the mandapam to listen to the Purana Patanam.

The swami reading was visibly enthusiastic and after acharya thanians the reading began. Rajo gunam, tamo gunam and satva gunam were talked about. People with different gunams worship different gods but those desiring moksham worship Sriman Narayana alone. The ashvamedha yaagam of Brahma was performed with Saraswathi and from the agni kundam emerged Pranatharthihara Varadan, Varadaraja Perumal and the Punyakoti vimanam. As this episode was read crackers were burst, bells rang and drums were beaten. The cows from the temple cowshed mooed and everyone present felt as if Perumal had actually emerged and ‘Jaya Vijaye bhava’ gosham filled the air. Sumptuous prasadams were distributed and everyone present felt blessed. Aradhanam was done with golden vessels.

At about 3.00 p.m. pallavam offering cremony took place. Perumal ‘s jewels were removed. Saffron paste offerings were done first to Pranatharthihara Perumal and then to Varadan and ubhayanachimars. Next sandal paste flattened were place on His Chest, Back and Arms. Next was ‘paneer-porvai’ (thin white cloth dipped in rose water). Next a ring of flowers were placed on the Heads of Perumal and rolls and rolls of jasmine strands were wound to form a beautiful jasmine flowers crown. Then garlands of jasmine, champaka, manoranjitham, kanakambaram were deftly garlanded. Then a shawl of jasmine flowers covered His back. Finally there was the huge garland of red-green and white. Rose water was sprinkled from the crane container and final offerings were the tender mango leaves – Pallava samarpanam. New beds were offered for Perumal and Thayar and the curtains were drawn. Kadambam prasadam was distributed liberally to everyone.

At 6.00p.m. the seven screens were opened one after the other. Purple and blue were the colours for the day and then panchanga patanam took place followed by evening Tiruvaradhanam followed by Theertham, Srisathari and prasada viniyogam. It being Anusham there was sattrumurai at Thatha Desikan sannidhi after which Pranatharthihara Perumal came in ‘pushpa-pallaku’ to kanadi-arai and Varadan with ubhaya nachimars came in purappadu on Sannidhi Street before returning to aasthanam.

To view the previous days Utsavam please visit:

• Pallava Utsavam At Kanchi Sri Devarajaswami Temple – Day 1
• Pallava Utsavam At Kanchi Sri Devarajaswami Temple – Day 2

The following are the photos taken during the Utsavam:

Photos & Videos: Sri Sundararajan & Write – up: Smt Vyjayanthi Rajan