We could not attend the Rathotsavam on the night before, there was just no way, so it’s on our list for the next year. This morning begins pretty much on time at 530am with a kalasa puja to three kalasas, presumably Murugan, Valli and Devasena. All 6 priests present stand by the kalasas which are arranged on a stand behind the agni kundam, and it’s quite a sight when all six do deeparadhanai, though only one priest holds the classic aradhanai lamp which is brought around to devotees, all else just have the thattu vilakku (plate lamp).
The homam begins next and is performed simultaneously by the six priests, including Narayanaswamy from Mutthumariamman who has been called in to help (He is as amused to see us as we are to see him; tells people at other times: “Avaa Lawspet verraikkum chenthutangaa! They’ve gone as far as Lawspet!) and he asks for photos of course.
This is then followed by the Laksharchanai for which the young priest takes lead, supported by six others. We are aware of a moolavar abhishekam that will have happened, but we miss it since we have to rush back to town to see the Sivan Koyil ther.
We return in the evening around 5 just to see the Murugan moolavar alankaram and to ask about the day.