Two homa-kaalams today, that seem to proceed without the need for an audience. Similar patterns as days before. Today is not the visesha naal, said a (somewhat grumpy-seeming) Ramanan Bhattacharya. Ok, we said, and made plans to return the next day.
8:00 AM — Homam; Purnahuti; Saattrumurai
7:00 PM — Homam and Purnahuti; Saattrumurai
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…