At the conclusion of the Damanotsavam is a veethi ula or street procession. Arun and I watch this a bit together at about 845pm, running from one Chithirai Pournami event to another – 1st time seeing this on Mission st. So there’s one ul-purappadu before leaving for the streets, and one more upon return, followed by the usual Saattrumurai. There are davanam/damana garlands as part of the alankaram, but nothing outstanding or out of the ordinary.
Today was the last day of the Vaishnava Navaratri utsavam, and we thought we’d not miss the ambu poduthal here for sure – but we were wrong. The patrikai said 7pm, but for some…
We went next to Perumal – it’s the last Saturday of Purattasi, and the last of his major alankarams. Moolasthanam just opening. Hanuman in a charming embroidered green suit.…
Perumal Koyil starts Navaratri on Dwitiya, unlike everyone else–we cannot figure out why, since amavasya (associated with pitru karma) is long over by the time of sunrise. We…
We go after 9pm. Dance in the makeshift mandapam outside, invoking the Dashavataras. Temple doors only left slightly ajar as everything closes down inside. We are called for the…
It is the second Saturday of Purattasi, and the temple is thronging. When I reach the temple around 730pm, Desikar was on the first round of his ul-purappadu. He was rounding the…