We stop by Mutthumariamman to ask about tomorrow’s alankaram, but are asked to stay for the evening’s abhishekam instead. This temple has a practice of finishing the abhishekam that typically precedes an elaborate alankaram the night before – then Jnanavel Swami’s son works through the night getting the deity ready for the next morning. Tonight, he says the Ubhayakaras are coming in from Chennai and won’t mind if we stay – this isn’t a private temple, but many families have this as their kuladeivam, so it feels often like it’s the shrine of a specific group. The abhishekam happens late, close to closing time.