Sita Venkateswar’s mother is in town, and she and a friend (Veda) accompany me first to the Vedapuriswara Koyil where there’s an abhishekam to the Polla Vinayaka going on, presumably to makr this day, and then to the Kannika Parameswari monthly Sankatahara Chaturthi Abhishekam, which I’ve never seen. It is a simple, soulful affair. Just the Ubhayakaras and a few others present, a very congenial atmosphere with the Kannika Iyer of course doing it all. I saw the Velli Kavacham go on Vinayaka for the first time, and it was grand (even if the pieces did make him seem somewhat rhinoceros like!). The photos speak for themselves. The vettrilai malai and the banana malai are unusual – I’m told this is offered for those who have very specific wishes.
From the whiteboard: Sankatahara Chaturthi Maalai 6.30 Bala Vinayagarukku Abhishekam, Deeparadhanai.