Nataraja Abhishekam, which happened very quickly early morning to mark Aavani Thiruvonam–THE Onam of the year. When there are bigger pujas going on (in this case Pavitrotsavam), even events like these are somewhat unceremoniously completed.
Pavitrotsavam proceedings took most of the morning. Homam started, only Venkatesa Gurukkal around. Deities lined up for abhishekam. Pavitram removed from the main kalasa and put in a basket for Guru mama. Siva Ambal abhishekam happened. Then the pavitram was taken into the main garbhagrihas and put on the main deities. Abhishekam for the utsavars happened. After that, the kalasa purappadu – carried by Thirukumaran and the other spectacled priest who’s usually around the Durga sannadhi. Thirukumaran went into the Siva Sannadhi, the other went to Ambal. Since the abhishekam and alankaram had already happened, kalasa water was poured mostly on yoni and ambal’s feet (it looked like). The main table kalasas went first and then the others as well though we didn’t see them being moved in spite of being right there. Utsaavars had a simple flower alankaram and clothing, deeparadhanai for them after the final one in the main sannadhis. We left just before this finishing.
Mesmerising purappadu energy at night. Colourful pavitrams worn only by the purappadu Swami and Ambal. All other deities and murtis have yellow pavitram, except the utsava murtis who were out for 3 days. Those have none. This was the very first Sivan Koyil purappadu which was a shouldered one–only “thol.” No vandi, Swami Ambal went on a big pallakku.
Today’s Pavitrotsavam Published Schedule:
8:00 AM: Mel Puja Commencement. On Chaturdashi Tithi and Thiruvona Nakshatram: Maha Abhishekam.
10:30 AM: Special Purnahuti, Pavitra Offering, Kalasabhishekam.
7:00 PM: Deity Street Procession (Veethi Utsavam).