During Day 3 of the Bhoopathi Thirunal Utsavam (February 2, 2017) Namperumal blessed the devotees from Simha vahanam in the morning and Yali Vahanam in the evening. Every day before Perumal’s purappadu happens The Dasamurthis go on the path to be taken by Perumal and ascertain that all is well. The Dasamurthis are carried by youngsters and on sighting them people get themselves prepared for Perumal’s arrival. After The Dasa murthis return from their sojourn NamPerumal leaves the vahana mandapam. After offerings are made at the Bali Peetam the curtain is slowly opened to reveal NamPerumal all set to leave on that day’s vahanam. Tiruvendhi kaapu is offered and the day’s vahanam is announced before NamPerumal emerges out.
Simham is the king of the jungle and Perumal chose the lion to take avatharam of the Amazing Man-lion to protect His five year old Daitya devotee. He put on the roopam to honour the boons granted by Brahma to Hiranyakasipu. That Perumal is everywhere and inside everything is shown by Sri Nrisimhavatharam. This is called Sarvavyapithvam. NamPerumal rode the Simha vahanam and presented a beautiful sight of majesty and grace as He went in Purappadu in the early morning hours when dewdrops were falling and the flowers from the trees fell down automatically making a beautiful offering saluting NamPerumal and the Sri Vaishnavas surrounding Him.
After morning purappadu on Simha vahanam NamPerumal blessed devotees in Karuthurai mandapam. This mandapam is where Thayar and Perumal share views illustrating how important it is for husband and wife to discuss and share matters. In  the evening NamPerumal came on Yali vahanam.
Yali is an interesting animal which is said to reside in devalokam. It has the face of a lion, the trunk of an elephant and tail of a serpent and is said to have great strength. Yali motif is found in temple carvings and at the entrance of houses. It is said to ward off negative energies. Many devotees had the fortune of offering prostrations to The Lord who is Strength Personified yet is accessible to us and can be approached by all. Lot of Astikas took part in the evening purappadu and had blessings of Namperumal
Some of the photos taken during day 3 of the utsavam can be viewed below:
Photo Courtesy: Sri Bharath, Writeup: Smt Vyjayanthi Sundararajan
