Durmukhi Aani Pooram was the fourth day of Kodai utsavam at Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal koil. Evening at about 6.00 Varadaraja Perumal in a separate kedayam and Ubhaya Nachimars in another Kedayam came in purappadu on Sannidhi Street accompanied by Their parivaram. There are two kedayams because after returning to the temple DevaPerumal is taken to the mandapam near the dwaja sthambam whereas The Nachimars are taken to the four pillared mandapam at the temple entrance. Oonjal takes place simultaneously at both mandapams and then the screen is drawn.
After this aradhanam takes place for Perumal followed by the offering of a wet cloth dipped in saffron, sandal paste made into balls and flattened. The flowers are then wound and garlanded and finally rose water is sprinkled from the silver crane container. All the while music is played. After aradhana flowers are offered for Ubhaya Nachimars in a similar fashion. After this Perumal Theertham is given and Srisathari blesses the heads of devotees. This is a mammoth task considering the crowds which seem to be getting bigger everyday. Again the distribution of prasadam is a big job. After this Perumal is brought in purappadu and is met half-way by Ubhaya Nachimars. Together They go to Tondaradipodi where ghata harathi and camphor harati takes place and fruits are offered. They then ascend the steps of the ‘kanadi-arai’ mandapam where harathi is offered again before the curtains are drawn.
The following are the photos taken during this occasion:
Courtesy: Sri Elangadu Chakravarthy & Write up – Smt.Vyjayanthi Rajan
