Durmukhi Varusha Thai Bhoopathi Thirunal Utsavam at Sri Ranganathaswamy Divya Desam, Srirangam commenced on January 31 2017. Bhoopathi means King and this utsavam was started by Veerabhupathi Udayar of Vijayanagara Empire. His birthday was on Thai Punarpoosam and this day was chosen for the Ther (Rathotsavam). The day before the start of the utsavam Senai Mudaliar (Vishvaksena) and Siriya Thiruvadi (Hanuman) came in purappadu and Mrith sangraham was done from the Bilva tree in Thayar sannidhi. Mud is collected for Palika sthapanam (seeds are sowed and sprouted). Raksha Bandhanam was done for the Bhattar swami that day. Senai Mudaliar did nagara sodanai that is checking of Uthira Veedhis which is where Perumal’s Thai Thirunal takes place, followed by Dwajarohanam that is raising of the Garuda Flag the next day morning.
On January 31st 2017, during day 1 of the utsavam, in the evening between 3.30pm and 5 pm, Beri Thadanam took place. Beri Thadanam is a ceremony heralding the start of the utsavam and inviting devathas to participate. Then at 6.30pm, Namperumal came with Ubhaya Nachimars in Thirushivikai. Shibika means tent. This tent is placed after Perumal and Ubhaya Nachimars come out of Ranga Ranga Gopuram. First comes the Divya Prabhandha Goshti as Perumal runs after the Divya Prabhandhams wheras the Vedams follow Perumal. It is a sight to behold. The SriVaishnavas chanting melodiously infront of and behind Namperumal, the devotees decorating the veedhis with beautiful kolams and everyone looking for a vantage point to see Namperumal, it is sheer bliss to be part of the festivity.
During day 2 of the utsavam on February 1st 2017 in the morning, purappadu is took place around 5.30 am in Otrai Prabhai, followed purappadu on Hamsa Vahanam in the evening.
The following are some of the photographs taken during day 1 & 2 of the utsavam can be viewed below:
Photo Courtesy: Sri Bharath, Writeup: Smt Vyjayanthi Sundararajan
