Malladi Brothers present a concert at Sri Kapali Temple on April 12.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thirukalyanam : Photos
It is a grand Friday at Sri Kapali temple. A large number of people witnessed the Thirukalyanam - the wedding of Lord Kapali with goddess Karpagambal.
Here are a few photos.
Videos will be uploaded on Saturday.
Here are a few photos.
Videos will be uploaded on Saturday.
Decorated Entrance of the temple
People going in and coming out of the temple. Scene in front of the 16 pillar mantapam
Thousands witness the Thirukalyanam
The Gods on procession after the wedding
Devotees distributing prasadam outside the temple
The procession on south Mada Street with the full moon in the background
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Arabathu-moovar Videos; 4 clips
We just posted 4 video clips of the Arabathu-moovar procession.
Posted in a hurry, please log on to -
http://www.youtube.com/user/mylaporetv
Posted in a hurry, please log on to -
http://www.youtube.com/user/mylaporetv
Religion. Then cricket.
4.10 pm.
The procession enters South Mada Street. And this street has a life of its own!
Not just because this is where every hardcore Mylaporean shops for vegetables and prays at Sri Velleswarar Temple . . .this provides hawkers, families and friends to congregate and wander at their own pace.
The food serving pandals are still going strong. The handis with fresh loads of rice and curd keep getting hauled at the counters. Sweating bodies go for cut water melons and butter-milk stalls.
The first of the Nayanmars reach the Mylapore Fund Office doors - it enables families who have just arrived at the fest zone to tarry along.
As the evening wears on, and the sun goes down thousands more will flock to R K Mutt Road and North Mada Streets. Just the time to enjoy the fest at its fullest.
It will also be the time when the Amman from the other side of Kutchery Road, Thiruvalluvar, also a neighbour and the other Gods will come by and join the procession.
Diehard Mylaporeans, having refreshed themselves take up position near the ther to expect this leg of the procession. . . .
It will be well past dusk today when the Lord and his faithful come back to their abode.
Then, cricket crazy fans will either head to Chepauk or sit in front of TV sets to catch the first IPL Season 5 match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
Expected to play for CSK is a young Mylaporean - Abhinav Mukund.
Religion and cricket . . . . .
<< We will soon post a few video clips of the arabathumoovar procession. Meanwhile, your comments on our daily coverage will help guide us, make us feel good >>
The procession enters South Mada Street. And this street has a life of its own!
Not just because this is where every hardcore Mylaporean shops for vegetables and prays at Sri Velleswarar Temple . . .this provides hawkers, families and friends to congregate and wander at their own pace.
The food serving pandals are still going strong. The handis with fresh loads of rice and curd keep getting hauled at the counters. Sweating bodies go for cut water melons and butter-milk stalls.
The first of the Nayanmars reach the Mylapore Fund Office doors - it enables families who have just arrived at the fest zone to tarry along.
As the evening wears on, and the sun goes down thousands more will flock to R K Mutt Road and North Mada Streets. Just the time to enjoy the fest at its fullest.
It will also be the time when the Amman from the other side of Kutchery Road, Thiruvalluvar, also a neighbour and the other Gods will come by and join the procession.
Diehard Mylaporeans, having refreshed themselves take up position near the ther to expect this leg of the procession. . . .
It will be well past dusk today when the Lord and his faithful come back to their abode.
Then, cricket crazy fans will either head to Chepauk or sit in front of TV sets to catch the first IPL Season 5 match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
Expected to play for CSK is a young Mylaporean - Abhinav Mukund.
Religion and cricket . . . . .
<< We will soon post a few video clips of the arabathumoovar procession. Meanwhile, your comments on our daily coverage will help guide us, make us feel good >>
Arabathumoovar procession: photos
- Hawkers on the Mada Veedhi
- Annadhanam
- A view of the temple tank
- Scene inside navarathri mantapam
- Karpagambal
- The procession
- Scene on East Mada Street
- Boy garlands photos of the founders of Mami's Mess on Pitchupillai Street
Scene on East Mada Street
3.45 pm
The festival has truly begun.
Now, even the small lanes around the temple are packed as people file into the mada veedhis.
Word is going out that the procession has begun. So, many families rush to the East Mada Street end.
From Tank Street, through Ponambala Vadyar Street and Pitchu Pillai Street ( where all the old tiled houses have given way to apartments this past year).
From a spot opposite Lady Sivaswamy Girls School, we take in the oncoming procession. One must admit that the young lads who carry the palaquins, dripping in sweat and red in their faces are efficient at keeping pace and order as they carry the saints.
Lots and lots of women stand behind barricades to offer prayer and watch quietly. Young mothers, kids on their shoulders patiently commentate on the procession. Early days to get introduced to Mylapore biggest festival. . . .
The festival has truly begun.
Now, even the small lanes around the temple are packed as people file into the mada veedhis.
Word is going out that the procession has begun. So, many families rush to the East Mada Street end.
From Tank Street, through Ponambala Vadyar Street and Pitchu Pillai Street ( where all the old tiled houses have given way to apartments this past year).
From a spot opposite Lady Sivaswamy Girls School, we take in the oncoming procession. One must admit that the young lads who carry the palaquins, dripping in sweat and red in their faces are efficient at keeping pace and order as they carry the saints.
Lots and lots of women stand behind barricades to offer prayer and watch quietly. Young mothers, kids on their shoulders patiently commentate on the procession. Early days to get introduced to Mylapore biggest festival. . . .
Procession of the Nayanmars . . .
3.05 pm.
By the time we make our way to the eastern side, the Lord has moved out, to the sound of bugles, horns and trumpets.
Seated at the 16-pillared mantapam in Sannidhi Square we get a distant glimpse of the rituals being performed here as the increasing crowd surges from all sides.
Inside, sits the elegant Karpagambal, all at peace as listless priests await their turn to move out. That happens quickly. And the crowd inside tries to follow the ther but with little luck as policemen keep them at bay.
We slip through the side gate and can only find space outside the shop selling puja articles on Ponnabala Vadyar Street. This is is a vantage spot to catch a glimpse of the procession of the Nayanmars. Out they come, in quick succession, hailed by the sound of the trumpets.
The fragrance of incense spreads through the air, swathes of devotees file in and slip out and the procession has truly begun now . . .
By the time we make our way to the eastern side, the Lord has moved out, to the sound of bugles, horns and trumpets.
Seated at the 16-pillared mantapam in Sannidhi Square we get a distant glimpse of the rituals being performed here as the increasing crowd surges from all sides.
Inside, sits the elegant Karpagambal, all at peace as listless priests await their turn to move out. That happens quickly. And the crowd inside tries to follow the ther but with little luck as policemen keep them at bay.
We slip through the side gate and can only find space outside the shop selling puja articles on Ponnabala Vadyar Street. This is is a vantage spot to catch a glimpse of the procession of the Nayanmars. Out they come, in quick succession, hailed by the sound of the trumpets.
The fragrance of incense spreads through the air, swathes of devotees file in and slip out and the procession has truly begun now . . .
Lead-up to the procession . . .
2.45 pm. South Mada Street.
Water has been let into the tank of Sri Kapali Temple and there is a gentle breeze blowing across - it takes the heat off our faces.
Families walk down from all directions - from Dr Ranga Road and Venkateswara Agraharam, from R K Mutt Road, from Luz and beyond.
The queues never end at the stalls here which serve food and drink. The hawkers have set up shop along the tank side; this is the time to pick up kolam design makers, toys, handmade laddoos and the like.
We make a quick dash down the Tank Street and enter the temple from the western side. And we enter festival land.
Neatly lined up here are all the Nayanmars; dressed, decorated and at peace. There are small name boards to tell us who they are. At the far end is a palaquin of a trio - the women who hailed the Lord - Isaignaniyaar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Mangayarkkarasiyar.
This is perhaps the simplest yet striking assemblage on an afternoon of the grand arabathu-moovar procession.
Those in the know and veteran of many a Panguni fest here, file past the images here than get squashed in the surging crowded at the eastern temple gate . . .
Water has been let into the tank of Sri Kapali Temple and there is a gentle breeze blowing across - it takes the heat off our faces.
Families walk down from all directions - from Dr Ranga Road and Venkateswara Agraharam, from R K Mutt Road, from Luz and beyond.
The queues never end at the stalls here which serve food and drink. The hawkers have set up shop along the tank side; this is the time to pick up kolam design makers, toys, handmade laddoos and the like.
We make a quick dash down the Tank Street and enter the temple from the western side. And we enter festival land.
Neatly lined up here are all the Nayanmars; dressed, decorated and at peace. There are small name boards to tell us who they are. At the far end is a palaquin of a trio - the women who hailed the Lord - Isaignaniyaar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Mangayarkkarasiyar.
This is perhaps the simplest yet striking assemblage on an afternoon of the grand arabathu-moovar procession.
Those in the know and veteran of many a Panguni fest here, file past the images here than get squashed in the surging crowded at the eastern temple gate . . .
Episode of Angampoombavai
Mylapore wakes up for the big fest
Many community groups worked through the night in this neighbourhood. They had a job to do.
When we went home, much after the IPL Cricket Season launch party at Nandanam YMCA grounds we could see groups of men and boys working under shamianas at street corners.
Annadhanam is an essential part of the grand arabathu-moovar festival that will be held today.
Groups of people pool money and resources and arrange for food and drink to be given free at corners of streets that lead to Sri Kapali Temple.
In the old days, these pandals must have refreshed the groups of devotees who headed to the Temple for the fest. They must have trudged all the way, or made it by bullock carts. Food and drink would have been a welcome refresher and it must have come from local residents.
That tradition continues. Pandals come up even in places like Adyar, Teynampet and Triplicane, once villages on the fringe of Mylapore.
This morning, as the sun went up the pandals began to offer butter milk, water and orange juice.
By noontime, the huge handis were opened and brinji, pulao, sambhar rice and curd rice was given.
Most pandals are run by autorickshaw drivers. They pool money and take turns to serve the drink or food. There were at least a dozen pandals we saw in the Alwarpet - R A Puram area.
People from afar will begin to descend in the temple zone by 1 p.m.
The rituals at the temple will start soon thereafter and the procession of the Nayanmars starts at about 3 pm.
We will post photos and on the spot reports this afternoon.
When we went home, much after the IPL Cricket Season launch party at Nandanam YMCA grounds we could see groups of men and boys working under shamianas at street corners.
Annadhanam is an essential part of the grand arabathu-moovar festival that will be held today.
Groups of people pool money and resources and arrange for food and drink to be given free at corners of streets that lead to Sri Kapali Temple.
In the old days, these pandals must have refreshed the groups of devotees who headed to the Temple for the fest. They must have trudged all the way, or made it by bullock carts. Food and drink would have been a welcome refresher and it must have come from local residents.
That tradition continues. Pandals come up even in places like Adyar, Teynampet and Triplicane, once villages on the fringe of Mylapore.
This morning, as the sun went up the pandals began to offer butter milk, water and orange juice.
By noontime, the huge handis were opened and brinji, pulao, sambhar rice and curd rice was given.
Most pandals are run by autorickshaw drivers. They pool money and take turns to serve the drink or food. There were at least a dozen pandals we saw in the Alwarpet - R A Puram area.
People from afar will begin to descend in the temple zone by 1 p.m.
The rituals at the temple will start soon thereafter and the procession of the Nayanmars starts at about 3 pm.
We will post photos and on the spot reports this afternoon.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Disappointed devotees . . . .
We wanted to know - why did the ther just run off on the mada veedhis today?
There was nobody ' official' to provide an answer.
Finally, just before noon we managed to get a line across the temple staff who was perched on the ther which had just taken a turn into West Mada Street ( R K Mutt Road).
"We have had no control on the volunteers, " he said. "They keep pulling the ther though we ask them to stop now and then."
The ther did slow down on R K Mutt Road later in the day. But the pace must have disappointed many, many devotees.
After all, many people time their visit to the processions and they follow old practises. Mylaporeans who have lived in the temple zone are aware of the timings of the processions and plan their visits accordingly.
Many people said that festival management has been lacking this year.
There was nobody ' official' to provide an answer.
Finally, just before noon we managed to get a line across the temple staff who was perched on the ther which had just taken a turn into West Mada Street ( R K Mutt Road).
"We have had no control on the volunteers, " he said. "They keep pulling the ther though we ask them to stop now and then."
The ther did slow down on R K Mutt Road later in the day. But the pace must have disappointed many, many devotees.
After all, many people time their visit to the processions and they follow old practises. Mylaporeans who have lived in the temple zone are aware of the timings of the processions and plan their visits accordingly.
Many people said that festival management has been lacking this year.
The ther seems to be moving fast!
We are still on East Mada Street and it is half empty now.
And we get news that the ther is now rolling to the end of South Mada Street.
Why is the procession moving at such great pace?
Nobody seems to have an answer.
Over the past few years that we have witnessed and covered the Panguni Fest, the ther processsion is grand and slow, allowing people from different areas to gather around it and offer prayers.
The mada veedhis just don't seem to have character, colour and feel that makes a festival like this truly a festival.
A woman keeps singing over the audio system from where a medical emergency camp is based. It isn't musical. We missed the music that could have led the ther.
Two men, their shirts wet with sweat slip down at the medical camp. They are bruised in the arms and feet. "The road is uneven and the ther pullers are running too fast!", they tell us.
A policewoman who has been injured when the wheel of the chariot of Singaravelar ran over her is being treated at the camp. "Please do not burn camphor and keep it on the road, it is dangerous!", says the woman on the public audio system.
Hawkers grab the road side space here to set up shop - baby dresses, plastic flowers, chains and beads, malli-poo . .
Food has just arrived at the Vanniyar Sangam. Volunteers say a local Chettiar family observes a tradition of providing anandhanam to devotees.
The ther procession begins . . .
7.30am.
There is a certain expectancy in the air around the ther.
As if everybody present would like it to make the first move.
That the ther begin to roll.
And then, to the roar and chant of ' Kapali! Kapali!!' and the wave of a green flag the chariot rolls out of the house and onto East Mada Street.
It halts suddenly, lets people make offerings and moves on again to the wave of the green flag.
The giant wheels roll at an angle, across the facade of Rasi Silks and slow down again.
A new set of devotees standing outside Sri Karpagambal Mess and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan get the opportunity to pray as the ther comes to a stop here.
There is a certain expectancy in the air around the ther.
As if everybody present would like it to make the first move.
That the ther begin to roll.
And then, to the roar and chant of ' Kapali! Kapali!!' and the wave of a green flag the chariot rolls out of the house and onto East Mada Street.
It halts suddenly, lets people make offerings and moves on again to the wave of the green flag.
The giant wheels roll at an angle, across the facade of Rasi Silks and slow down again.
A new set of devotees standing outside Sri Karpagambal Mess and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan get the opportunity to pray as the ther comes to a stop here.
Preview: Procession of the great Ther
April 3, 7 am.
The mada veedhis are dirty, full of waste, paper and leftover food.
Private civic workers get to work in fits and starts to prepare the way for the procession of the ther.
How one wished there was far greater cleanliness here.
The sun is up and the chant of the odhuvar floats in the air that is still this morning.
Earlier this morning, at about 5.30 am the image of the Lord was taken up the stairs and to a mantap beside the tall ther tower. After a few rituals, the image was placed in the chariot.
Behind the ther, are a carriage of wooden blocks which will be used to slow and stop the rolling wheels of the ther. A army of volunteers in bright Tees are at the ready for the job.
Further behind are the chariots of Lord Murugan and of Chandikeswarar.
People file in to take position in front of the ther.
The quiet is broken by announcements over the public address system by volunteers of the Mylai Thamizh Sangam.
And then the singing of odhuvar Sargunanathar . . .
They are all waiting for the state minister to inaugurate the procession. .
The mada veedhis are dirty, full of waste, paper and leftover food.
Private civic workers get to work in fits and starts to prepare the way for the procession of the ther.
How one wished there was far greater cleanliness here.
The sun is up and the chant of the odhuvar floats in the air that is still this morning.
Earlier this morning, at about 5.30 am the image of the Lord was taken up the stairs and to a mantap beside the tall ther tower. After a few rituals, the image was placed in the chariot.
Behind the ther, are a carriage of wooden blocks which will be used to slow and stop the rolling wheels of the ther. A army of volunteers in bright Tees are at the ready for the job.
Further behind are the chariots of Lord Murugan and of Chandikeswarar.
People file in to take position in front of the ther.
The quiet is broken by announcements over the public address system by volunteers of the Mylai Thamizh Sangam.
And then the singing of odhuvar Sargunanathar . . .
They are all waiting for the state minister to inaugurate the procession. .
Monday, April 2, 2012
Video - Preparation for Ther
Here is a video of the ther being prepared. The workers here are fixing yali image to its side http://youtu.be/htN5W3Y8jP0.
- Contributed by V. Vasantha
Workers offer prayer before preparing for ther
- Photo contributed by N.N.Srinivasan
Lord Kapali dances to popular numbers
April 2, Monday. It is 5.50 a.m. and the procession is about to enter the temple.
The Lord now gets into the dance mode before He goes back to the temple. The song being played is an English note and a popular folk note, Kundrathile Kumurankku Kondattam.
About 50 people are carrying the vahanam and swaying to the music. From afar, one can witness the dance of the Lord. Once the last song ends, the vahanam enters the temple and goes to the mantapa inside.
Devotees carrying the vahanam keep raisinng the Lord's name as they enter the temple. Many people follow them inside.
As soon as the vahanam reaches the temple, the image is disengaged from the vahanam and taken in a procession around the temple.
Photos of the procession will be uploaded here shortly.
If you want to share web links of your photos or videos, mail a note to - mytimesedit@gmail.com
As soon as the vahanam reaches the temple, the image is disengaged from the vahanam and taken in a procession around the temple.
Photos of the procession will be uploaded here shortly.
If you want to share web links of your photos or videos, mail a note to - mytimesedit@gmail.com
The buzz at 16-pillared mantapam
Many Mylaporeans who have woken up early today to be part of the celebration, come forward, pray and receive prasadam in the mantapam area.
Aarathi is then taken simultaneously for all the three deities.
Neivedayam is offered to the Gods.
The images of the Lord Vinayagar and Chandikeshwar do the pradakshinam and are taken inside the temple.
Lord Muruga follows and then, those of Karpagambal.
The rishabha vahanam procession, especially the final leg is a visual and aural delight to all those who faithfully follow and participate in the panguni vizha here.
The rishabha vahanam procession, especially the final leg is a visual and aural delight to all those who faithfully follow and participate in the panguni vizha here.
Rishabha Vahanam - day 2
This has been a procession that goes on through the night and into the morning.
When we arrive today to cover the final leg of the rishabha vahanam procession of the Lords, the vahanam of Lord Kapali has reached the 'ther' junction.
Two, big umbrellas are now removed and a symbolic silver umbrella is fixed.
The deity is slowly brought to the 16 pillared mantapam which has been cleaned and decorated for this occasion.
This is followed by images of Karpagambal and Lord Murgan.
This is followed by images of Karpagambal and Lord Murgan.
Karpagambal is seated on a golden rishabham and Lord Murga on a golden peacock.
The vahanams were allowed to rest in the mantapam and as day breaks, large number of devotees crowd around and come forward to have a glimps of the Gods.
Today being a working day, the crowd is limited though; dominated as it were by senior citizens.
The nadaswaram troupe keeps up the tempo with their songs and the stage is set for a final ritual before the images move into the temple.
<< If you wish to share your own experiences please email to - mytimesedit@gmail.com >>
<< If you wish to share your own experiences please email to - mytimesedit@gmail.com >>
Rishabha Vahanam
Whole battalion of police has landed at Ponnambala Vathier Street hall meant for police stay.
Scout boys headed by Giridhar were also on duty managing the crowd.
One man supplied water in plastic tumbler for people pushing & pulling behind the control line rope
At 9.45 p.m. all 5 deities decked, took a pradakshinam inside the temple. At 10.15 p.m. Lord Vinayaka appeared at the gopuravasal mounted on Mushika.
Lord Kapali on Rishabha was seen at the entrance. The special aarathy was taken there itself. Then the lord took the procession crossing the gopuravasal.
It took nearly 20 minutes to reach the 16 pillar mantap. The same volunteers are to carry and bring karpagamba too. Lord Muruga and Chandikeswara followed.
The crowd rushed in to witnessing Chandikeswara.
In the mean time there were 2 more announcements of missing kids in custody. The police made the child make the call for his mother.
The crowd dispersed slowly after the three deities reached 16 pillar mantap.
- Reported by V. Vasantha
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Today; rishabha vahanam
On Friday, the shutters that safeguard the ther in its 'house' on East Mada Street had been drawn up. But we saw only the bare chariot.
On Saturday, the scene was different. Men began to work on the ther.
A group painted some parts of it to heighten the images at its base.
Others dropped off rough cut blocks of wood which will be used to leverage the giant wheels of the ther as it rumbles down the road.
Later in the evening, a new set of massive coir ropes were off loaded near the ther. These will be used by dozens of bhaktas to pull the ther down the mada veedhis on Tuesday morning.
On Sunday morning, the buzz was back inside the temple as preparations began for the rishabha vahanam procession which starts later this evening.
On Saturday, the scene was different. Men began to work on the ther.
A group painted some parts of it to heighten the images at its base.
Others dropped off rough cut blocks of wood which will be used to leverage the giant wheels of the ther as it rumbles down the road.
Later in the evening, a new set of massive coir ropes were off loaded near the ther. These will be used by dozens of bhaktas to pull the ther down the mada veedhis on Tuesday morning.
On Sunday morning, the buzz was back inside the temple as preparations began for the rishabha vahanam procession which starts later this evening.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Preparation for the day begins
March 31, 9 a.m.
This morning we see about 15 people making flower garlands inside the temple. They are seated inside the temple's mandap and are preparing garlands for the days' vahanam. Delhi Babu is the person who is in-charge here.
Behind them were few people rubbing Neem oil to the poles used for carrying the vahanams.
The vahanams that is to be used in the coming days were being cleaned.
Behind them were few people rubbing Neem oil to the poles used for carrying the vahanams.
The vahanams that is to be used in the coming days were being cleaned.
Many foreigners were taking photographs and speaking to people about the importance of this festival.
Activities outside the temple had also increased. Many hawkers set up their wares on the road. Many pandals for food and drinks were also set up.
Chandra Prabha vahanam
It was nearly 10.20 p.m. on March 29 when the procession of Lord Kapali on Chandra Prabha vahanam took a turn to South Mada Street near Chithirai Kulam.
Once the procession moved, the Vedic scholars coming behind chanting the Vedas, sat on the road in front of Chitrakulam Gandhi statue under the pandal and continued the chant.
This was in order to gain some distance in front to follow the procession as it was going very slow.
The teen age volunteers, plenty in number, enjoyed the whole event fully. One girl supplied them water packets.
Kids in the age group of 6 and 7 without footwear, mounted the platform and sat on the backside of Lord Vinayaka's chariot.
There was a group headed by Sathish from Thiruvannamalai. They play the percussion instrument called Voodal. This is played when Shiva does the Thandava, says Sathish. He also said that this instrument is available only in the temple of Thiruvannamalai. Their group has been given accommodation in Karpagambal Kalyana Mantapam opposite Sai Baba Temple. They will stay there for 10 days till the festival comes to a close.
- Reported by V. Vasantha
Friday, March 30, 2012
Celebration of another legend
The procession of Adhikara Nandi made a stop on South Mada Street, midway. It was about 10 am then.
Volunteers from the temple brought up the images of Thirugnanasambandar and that of his father.
The image of the later was taken down to the temple tank, watered, decorated and brought up again.
The spectacle lasted for about 30minutes and many devotees stepped into the tank to watch.
The oduvar sang in front of the Sambandar image, while the archakas walked down to the image of the ambal, got a gold-plated pot of milk and symbolically fed the image of Thirugnanasambandar.
Meanwhile, devotees who had also shared their pots of milk got it offered and blessed and took it back; some distributed it, some took it home.
Celebration of another legend associated with a bhakta of Lord Siva.
Volunteers from the temple brought up the images of Thirugnanasambandar and that of his father.
The image of the later was taken down to the temple tank, watered, decorated and brought up again.
The spectacle lasted for about 30minutes and many devotees stepped into the tank to watch.
The oduvar sang in front of the Sambandar image, while the archakas walked down to the image of the ambal, got a gold-plated pot of milk and symbolically fed the image of Thirugnanasambandar.
Meanwhile, devotees who had also shared their pots of milk got it offered and blessed and took it back; some distributed it, some took it home.
Celebration of another legend associated with a bhakta of Lord Siva.
More photos of Adikara Nandi event
The photos here are a sample of those shot by contributor Divya Srinithi, a Communications student of Chennai. See more picture here.
The procession moves down East Mada Street . .
7.15 am.
To a rousing play by the band and the nagaswaram troupe, the adhikara nandi procession moves to its next stop - on East Mada Street, opposite the Vanniar Mantapam.
In the backdrop, is the bare chariot, the ther of the temple - soon, workers will begin decorating the ther for the big procession on April 3 morning.
The shutters of the garage that houses the 'ther' have been pulled up now.
Five priests seated at the foot of the vahanam take turns to raise the offerings to the Lord.
This is a working day in Chennai - just now about one thousand people are all around the vahanam and on East Mada Street - waiting for their turn to offer prayers.
This morning as we turned into the temple zone, into South Mada Street.
The veedhi was an eyesore - vegetable waste and garbage lay on either side of the street even as the early hawkers opened for business.
There is a need to clean the veedhis at festival time.
It is 7.25 am.
The band plays a quick note and the procession has just moved and come to stay alongside Nadu Street - a street which was home to the late artist-musician S. Rajam.
It is 7.30 am. A whistle blows. The band plays a English tune, the volunteers swing the vahanam as if the Lord likes to enjoy the event, and the vahanam stops outside the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
It will take a few hours before the procession ends at the temple.
Click here to see more pictures of the procession.
Queues form at 16-pillar mantapam. . .
6.40 am.
A queue forms on East Mada Street, outside the showcase of Rasi Silks.
Traffic has been suspended on the mada veedhis to facilitate the procession.
The queue leads to the vahanam of Lord Vinyaka.
Up at the mantap, the nagaswaram troupe plays on as devotees flock around the adhikara nandi vahanam.
The Lord has been dressed in pink angavastram, with bilva garlands hang all around the Lord and drops from His hands.
On either side, are the vahanams of Lord Muruga and the ambal. While a gandharva playing the veena forms the vahanam for Muruga, a gandharvi with a veena hosts the ambal.
Devotees now offer zari-laced veshtis which the priests use to adorn the nandi and put it away.
Adhikara Nandi procession begins . . .
We are in Sannidhi Square, where the 16-pillar mantap stands.
Today is the day of the Adhikara Nandi.
The procession has just come out from the temple. It is led by the image of Lord Vinayaka.
While the Lord who removes our obstacles was wheeled down to the area of the ther, the nandi vahanam stopped at the mantap.
The vahanam sparkles in the first rays of the sun, being silver plated. Workers had given it a final polish yesterday to prepare it for the procession.
Decorated with a rich mix of flowers and jewellery, around the vahanam and the Lord, this was time to allow the early devotees to offer prayers.
As time passed, the flow of devotees has begun to increase. Some break coconuts in front of the image of Lord Vinayaka, offer prayers and move to the 16-pillar mantapam.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Colourful kolam decorations . . .
These are the works of Jayanthi Subramaniam.
A resident of Chinmaya Nagar, Jayanthi spent a few days creating the colourful images at different spots around the camps - one in front of kodi maram ( flag post), one alongside the Navaratri mantap, one at the Singaravelar shrine . . .
She and her team sat on the floor and executed these designs which are basically kolam patterns, coloured and with local images.
Jayanthi says she undertakes such assignments for weddings, temple festivals and social events.
When you do visit the temple this week, look for these decorations and take them in.
Jayanthi resides at 108, Godavari Street, Chinmaya Nagar. Call 93646 10445
Surya-vattam vahanam at Mangollai stop: Mar.29 morning
Video link of Surya-vattam vahanam
Here is the video link of the Surya-vattam vahanam procession. These videos were taken by V. Vasantha.
Lord Kapali leaves Mangollai - http://youtu.be/T-KQ6zxa2NA
Lord Kapali dances to English note - http://youtu.be/2S7TjuzJm_k
Lord Kapali leaves Mangollai - http://youtu.be/T-KQ6zxa2NA
Lord Kapali dances to English note - http://youtu.be/2S7TjuzJm_k
A Sambandar legend; enacted during Adhikara Nandi procession
The procession will stop on South
Mada Street, opposite Vasantha Bhavan restaurant to recall an ancient legend.
The story goes that the child Thirugnanasambandar was once left to fend for himself and kept crying in hunger. Lord Shiva responded by sending his
wife to the spot - she fed him with milk.
During the procession, the images of
the ambal and Sambandar will be lowered and the latter will be symbolically fed
with milk by priests. The custom of devotees is to also bring milk and share it
with others at this point of the procession.
Watch closely on Friday at about 7am
here.
Photo shows the incident painted
on the mantap on the southern banks of the tank.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day 2: stop at mango grove!
Now, Mangollai has a huge history
behind it – it being the key space for public political meetings since the 40s.
These meetings continue to this day – that they mess up the traffic movement on
the mada veedhis ia another story!
On Thursday morning, the stop at
Mangollai enacts an ancient tradition. The Gods stopped at what was once a
lovely mango grove; here devotees would make offerings.
The stop is not forgotten though all you have now is a shanty space
for the poor and a buzzing tiffin kadai.
Ancient banyan poles; used in processions
There are
2 logs cut out of banyan trees which are said to be over 100 years old.
Before
using them for key events like Panguni festival ( used on three days), the logs
are soaked in neem oil for about two weeks. This strengthens the logs and keeps
off disease.
The
volunteers who carry the images of the gods use the logs in processions.
Photo
by R. Saravanan shows the logs being readied for the Adhikara Nandi procession on March 30. There are
loads of temple accessories and items that carry vintage value. Each has a role
to play in key events here.
Golden Bhadra-lingam
There is a large one at Sri
Kapali Temple too, on the western side.
Now, a donor has arranged for the
entire peedam to be gold cast on copper sheets.
At the kodietram ceremony on
Wednesday morning, the golden peedam shone in the morning sunshine.
Both, the peedam and kodi-maram have
now been protected by cast iron railings.
- Photo by R. Saravanan
Soil from P. S. School . . .
A simple, but standard practice
that the community undertakes for all auspicious events like temple fests,
weddings and the like was also undertaken by priests at Sri Kapali Temple.
This was on March 27 evening.
Following a procession of lord
Chandikeswarar and Astradevar inside the temple, the processionists headed to
P. S. High School playground.
Here, they stopped at a marked
space and dug up some of the soil and carried the soil back to the temple. The
melam kept the beat.
The soil was taken to the temple,
watered and navadhaniyam sown here.
The clump of plants will be cared
for and pujas done twice a day since their well-being also bodes well for the
fest and the community.
The main gurukkal says this is
called the angooram puja.
He recalls that even this simple
event used to be a grand one – the processionists would be accompanied by
rousing music troupes and a large number of devotees.
- Photo and reportage by R. Saravanan
Video link of flag hoisting
Here is the video link of the flag hoisting and the gandarva doll showering flowers on the images of the God. These videos were taken by V. Vasantha.
Flag hoisting: http://youtu.be/qPdelBnZFhc
Karpagambal Vidhi ula: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hMYzPZEJf4
The flag goes up . . .
March 28, Wednesday.
In the western yard of Sri Kapali Temple.
Even as the city wakes up to a stuffy morning ( temperatures in the 30s), over 300 people gather around the flag mast for the first big event of the Panguni Fest here.
There is a quiet expectation all around as the priests prepare to hoist the white flag.
And then, at 6.25 am, to the beats of the band, the music of the nagaswaram and the peals of the giant bell, the flag is hoisted.
The music and peals continue as does the band.
The flag is hoisted with a pure white long cloth.
Over the next 10minutes, the priests wind the cloth tightly around the plated mast.
Click here to see more pictures of this event.
In the western yard of Sri Kapali Temple.
Even as the city wakes up to a stuffy morning ( temperatures in the 30s), over 300 people gather around the flag mast for the first big event of the Panguni Fest here.
There is a quiet expectation all around as the priests prepare to hoist the white flag.And then, at 6.25 am, to the beats of the band, the music of the nagaswaram and the peals of the giant bell, the flag is hoisted.
The music and peals continue as does the band.
The flag is hoisted with a pure white long cloth.
Over the next 10minutes, the priests wind the cloth tightly around the plated mast.
Click here to see more pictures of this event.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Prayers to the amman, for a great celebration
Day One of the Panguni Fest at Sri Kapali Temple. The morning was for the Kolavizhi Amman at the temple on G N Chetty Street, Mylapore. This is the grama-devathai.
Staff of Sri Kapali Temple, celebrating the Panguni Fest brought all the items required for the abhishekam of the amman.
More than 100 devotees were at hand to take part. Abhishekams using coconut water, milk, curd and honey and finally, the panchamirtham ( fruits mix) were performed.
The special invitation card for the panguni fest was placed in front of the amman to seek blessings for a smooth celebration.
The podavai ( sari) gifted by the team from Sri Kapali Temple was wrapped around the amman. Deeparadhanai was a long-winded one and after it was performed for the amman it was presented to the devotees.
Prasadam of nei-vedhiyam and pongal was distributed.
Finally, the items used for the archanai and offered to the amman and the prasadam were placed in plates and the staff of the Amman Tenple and the Kapali Temple took it away to be presented to officers and trustees of the Mylapore temple.
The ceremonies started at 11 am and ended at about 12.30 p.m.
Click here to see more pictures of this event
Monday, March 26, 2012
Online coverage timings of Panguni fest
Reports, photos, videos and other information about the Panguni fest will be posted during the key hours of the festival. The following are the timings that the event will be covered.
March 28, Flag hoisting: 5.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
March 30, Adhikaara Nandi procession: 5.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
April 1, Rishaba Vahanam procession: 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. on April 2.
April 3, Ther procession: 7 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
April 4, Aarabathumoovar procession: 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
April 6, Thiru Kalyanam: 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
March 28, Flag hoisting: 5.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
March 30, Adhikaara Nandi procession: 5.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m.
April 1, Rishaba Vahanam procession: 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. on April 2.
April 3, Ther procession: 7 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.
April 4, Aarabathumoovar procession: 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
April 6, Thiru Kalyanam: 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.
Final preparations on for Panguni Fest
Large pandals were set on the four Mada Streets.
Long poles made out of alamara vizhudu (banyan tree root) used to carry the vahanams were polished with oils. These 32 feet long poles are 100 years old. It is used only for selected occasions like Adhikaara Nandi, Rishaba Vahanam and Silver vahanam.
Jayanthi Subramanian a painter had painter the Rishaba Kunjaram inside the temple.
The silver Mushikavahanam that will carry the image of Lord Ganesh in a procession on March 27 was given a silver polish.
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