The temple calls 2 Iyers for this event and the Thirukalyanam, and does all other days’ rituals independently. The two Iyers present have been associated with this Vanniar community and this event for a long time, it’s a mutually supportive relationship. The Arohanam as such, as a result, follows a familiar pattern. Draupadi Amman is out with Perumal and Arjuna, wooden and brass forms of Pothuraja out in front, the flag cloth is simple yellow-dyed, and a mud pot is prepared like a kalasam with threads.
The priest carries the pot, and then he and a small group walk to and into Vedapuriswara via the south entrance, and go straight to the Kulam. The Amman’s trident strung with jasmine precedes them, as does the wooden form of Pothuraja, leading the way with the Nadaswaram player Venkat and the tavil. They placed the kalasam just at the entrance of the kulam. The priest goes to the water to bathe, with two others who help him. He wears a new yellow garment (dhoti, but tied at knee length like a pair of shorts), his body is strung with jasmine maalas making an X across his chest and back, and his arms anointed with the Vaishnava namam. Then they collect water from the kulam as theertham in the one mud pot. They do an aradhanai for the pot right there, and walk out of the temple by going around the main shrine and out the front entrance, rounding the corner, and back onto the Iswaran Dharmaraja Koyil street.
When they come back to the temple, it’s one pradakshina round here, too, their feet are washed by the dhvajastambha, anointed with turmeric and kunkuma, and the pot with the theertham goes into the garbhagriha which is now all clad in brass. It comes out to the homam area shortly, and sits with the other kalasas there. The priest and Prakash (who will carry the Karagam) wear poonals (which are placed on the bodies of the waiting deities as well), the homam commences. There are a great many kaappu around, with turmeric pieces pre-tied. These go around all who are participants in the Vizha, wrists of human hands, the bodies of statues like that of Pothuraja, around the dhvajastambha itself. Purnahuti happens, the flag is anointed with mango leaves, a jasmine maala, and darba grass, and carried around the temple prakaram. Priest carries the earthenware kalasam, Prakash has the flag itself. But at some point they switch, because it’s Rangaradjou swami who actually hoists the flag. Once the ceremony is done, the theertha kalasam goes back into the garbhagriha, and it’s time for the evening’s purappadu!
Day 1: Aadi 4 Dhvajarohanam, Mudal naal utsavam – 3 deities purappadu
Sri K. Srinivasa Narayanan (Mumbai) & Group, Pakkamudaiyanpattu.Sri J. Irajarajiyan Nayakkar & Group, Puducherry.