Homam going on as I (Arun) walk in. Kalahasti priest was in front of the big kumbham again. Goes on for about half an hour. Then deeparadhanai for the main kumbham, very well done. All five kumbham/kalasas are carried by the respective priests for one ul-purappadu. The governor and an mla are there, so everybody seems to flock towards them and not the kalasas. After ul-purappadu, kalasas all go into utsava mandapa and are placed there to remain until the end of thirumeni. One last deeparadhanai from there, and balalayam concludes.
I try to reach out to the kalahasti priest. Complimented him on how beautifully he did all the mudras. He walks on before I can ask for contact details.