On 29th July 2017, Thiruvadipooram Utsavam was celerated grandly at Irving DFW Hindu Temple. Sri Andal Thirumanjanam took place and then Andal was beautifully decorated ornaments and garland. Many devotees participated in the utsavam and acquired the blessings of Andal.
A brief on DFW Temple and Thiruvadipooram Utsavam
First let me explain DFW. It stands for Dallas Fortworth which is the name of the international airport in Dallas. In its vicinity is a temple called ‘Ektha (Unity) mandir which was established some 25 years back to provide space for Hindu activities. Among the many sannidhis here there is one for ‘Srinivasa’.  It is here that we have the Moolavar, Utsavar, Sudarsana azhwar and Andal housed in. In this temple, Andal’s birthday was celebrated on 29th July, 2017. After the Thirumanjanam, Andal adorned a blue vastram with big pearl work on it, which was hand made by three devotees. She also adorned Her trademark kondai made of gold, and a really thick garland of samanthi and roses which was truly impressive and fresh. The goshti recited ‘Nachiyar Tirumozhi’. The reciting of Swami Desikan’s Gopala vimshati and ‘Goda stuti’ was done followed by ‘pallandu’ and ‘Kothai piranda oor’.  Meanwhile the place was being filled up with devotees bringing prasadams and fruits and flowers for Andal. The priest performed archana in a melodious voice. Vedams were chanted, prasadams were offered and ‘pancha-harathi’ was offered. ‘Jaya Jageedsa Hare and Lakshmi stotram and ‘Tvameva matha cha’ were sung together by everyone. After this ‘charanamrith (Perumal theertham” )was given and the prasadams were served at the adjoining dining hall. It was an elaborate fare consisting of different chitra annams two/three kinds of sundals, vadas, akkaradisal, badam burfis, gulab jamun and fruits. ‘Paraspara hitaishina’ is what swami Desikan prayed for in Sri Abhithasthavam.  This means mutual harmony and it was good to see our people gather together and celebrate  ‘Andal’s birthday’ (weekend celebrations) for She taught us to assemble together and enjoy Krishna.
The following are some of the photographs taken during the utsavam…
Courtesy: Smt and Sri Vyjayanthi Sundararajan
