We returned to Varadaraja Perumal after a long day at Thiruvahindrapuram. Desikar here was also dressed in studded stone, and also carried pavitrams hanging at his base. He stood before Perumal outside the Mahamandapam, awaiting His emergence. Perumal arrived soon alongside Sridevi and Bhudevi, and Desikar led the purappadu – or rather reared it? – all the while facing his Lord.
On the third round, one of the devotees carrying Perumal reached out to me saying: “Look! Perumal is sweating! Get a close up picture!” And so I did, and indeed Perumal’s whole face was covered in unnumbered droplets.