Desikar Patrikai reveals vidaiyatri from 23rd to 27th.
Perumal had thirumanjanam at 5am. The temple is very crowded. The winding path to and out of the sannadhi has been flanked by barricades. A quick darshan is available for just 30rs!
The Maniyakkarar, when asked about the book on temples of Pondy, reveals some history about a room/hall beneath the main Perumal idol which he's heard has been used for storing statues during times of crisis. The passage to it was apparently sealed entirely in 2018.
Thought: the nitya-presence of adhyapakas and its significance – observing how their presence affects the impression of devotees leaving the temple after seeing Perumal; they leave a temple that’s enlivened by chants, not bare and stagnant.
During Mangalasasanam, Thathacharya asks Deepa di not to recite the Purusha Suktam along. One of the adhyapaka’s wives, a lady who’s always around, notices this and comes later to offer commiserations. Sounds like the age-old issues of gender and purity etc. haven’t yet found a happy balance.
Pm — Desikar veethi purappadu. I go at 630, but it is clearly delayed. I had to park a block away near Vedapuriswara Koyil due to traffic. The purappadu leaves only around 725, and soon after comes the heaviest downpour Pondy has seen in a long time. The atmosphere is surreal. I rounded the corner as Desikar began to glide forward. Calm chants of OM Namo Venkateshaya echoed across the streets from the temple speakers. The thavil and nadaswaram were faintly audible, and Desikar in gold and red glided out and forward. It was a surreal, palpable emergence. The rain picked up as he rounded the first corner, but there was no question of abandoning the procession. The call of duty was stronger than the wind and rain. An air of inspiration was about.