Unjal at Mutthumariamman – She was in all white, like the moon! Priests weren’t taking coloured flowers from devotees, white only. A lady helped me get down and held my head (gently) in place so I could see the deeparadhanai – I let another lady and her clearly mentally disabled daughter go in front of me & a man later sought me out and thanked me for that. Over and over I get the feeling that temples are special for all sorts of things, but among them the collective commitment to aspiring, being better versions of ourselves, generally not worrying about the usual social divisions, being equalised by the focus of the place. But this is not a pre-existing condition, more one that has to be actively cultivated in all these ways. So when people make way for each other in realising these goals, it doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. I love this part of being in the temple space.
The main priest Jnanavel swami turned off all the lights during deeparadhanai which made it so much more special. He later said that it’s an old practice and “that is aanmeegam!” or “spirituality” which people no longer want – they want to see and feel happy seeing in electric light, so we change with times. There were two pusaris around in addition to Prakash helping out.
Amman’s utsavam form was out on the swing. This temple is known for its elaborate amman alankaram traditions, but mostly in the moolasthanam, where Mariamman is in her full form, seated, and usually very simply but stylishly attired. Dare I call her cute? No, no, no, I dare not.