Kanchi Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple Selvar Utsavam & Vaikasi Brahmotsavam Ankurarpanam

On Durmukhi Vaikasi Pooram(16th May) Selvar -utsavam was celebrated . On the following day that is Vaikasi Utthiram ‘Ankurarpanam’ was done. Ankuram means sprouts and during this ceremony navadhanyas are soaked and sprouted. Mrith or mud is collected from an ant-hill by the priests from the South west direction. This is the foundation laying ceremony for the ‘Brahmotsavam’. Then on Vaikasi Hastham day (18th May) ‘Azhwar Tirunal ‘ was celebrated. In the evening ‘nagarasodanai’ took place.

Vishvaksena or Senai mudaliar occupies an important place in our Srivaishnava sampradhaya. He is a ‘nityasuri’. Nityasuris are permanent residents of Srivaikuntam who are forever alert and ever ready to do all kinds of kainkaryams(services) to Lakshmi Nararayana. Visvaksena is the ‘Commander-in-chief’ who inspects the path Perumal will be taking during purappadu. He maintains order and controls the crowds. He is ‘vignahartha’(the remover of obstacles) . He is third in the line of gurus, the first and second being Perumal and Piratti.

After special aradhanai at Vishvaksenar sannidhi, located in the inner prakaram of VaradarjaPerumal koil, theertham, srisathari and prasada distribution took place. At about 5.45 p.m. Visvaksenar left in purappadu from his sannidhi and ascended the small punyakoti vimanam stationed outside . Two elephants (one with U Tiruman and the other with Y) were waiting outside to lead the procession, followed by the temple horse . As Purappadu was about to start the notes of ‘Pallandu’ filled the air. This was followed by ‘Veda Rakshai’. As the purappadu moved along Sannidhi Street everyone prayed for the proper conduction of the ‘Brahmotsavam’ and felt happy to be part of the crowd of devotees. Srimadh Azhagiasingar along with Sri Malolaparivaram will be in Kanchi during Brahmotsavam. He offered mangalasasanams to Vishvaksenar outside Sri Ahobila Muth.

The following are the photos taken during the Utsavam: