By 645pm we are at Chetty Koyil. Unjal Utsavam preparations going on. We remark that it is a more laid back event than the other days. Seems more ceremonial than ritual. Utsava murtis are decorated inside, then brought out and taken to the unjal – a makeshift of multiple wooden benches tied together. All the murtis are properly placed, but Ganesha and Chandikeswara are found to have no space on the unjal. More makeshift solutions ensue, with two little stools tied to the front of these benches to accommodate the lone two.
This adjustment delays the ceremony quite a bit. But the Nadaswaram team doesn’t let the delay drop your spirit!
We also visited the Varadaraja Perumal shrine there. Noticed that Anjaneya in his side shrine was smeared with butter and fruits!
The unjal swinging began. The atmosphere was that of a wedding reception. Gods brought out to sit and swing swing swing, while the nadaswaram troupe play a concert, uninterrupted by the otherwise necessary crescendos which must accompany an aradhanai. They seemed to play an assortment of popular kritis, nothing very unusual. Priests stood around being photographed–it was as though their work is done, and this ceremony allowed them to sit back a little and be acknowledged. We leave after watching awhile.