Velli Kavacham for the main murti (following abhishekam), utsava murti sitting alongside, deeparadhanai. In the evening, Ambal is in Durga-like form, with parijatam maalas that have been hand-made by the woman sitting now and making pink arali maalas, and white vetchi poo tucked in behind her ears. The Iyer tells me he has done the alankara himself, maybe with the help of another priest called in–he starts at 2, has to finish by the time of the evening pujas, then finally undo the alankaram and prepare the temple for the next morning’s abhishekam. He’s not done before 11pm, and is up again in the temple by 6. These are long, difficult days for the priests, especially those without added helpers. In the evening, too, women are gathered and both them and their children are standing to tell stories of the Goddess.
From the whiteboard: Navaratri 2-aam Naal
Kaalai 7.30 Manikku Ammanukku Abhishekam Deeparadhanai
Maalai 6.00 Manikku Utsavar Ammanukku Sri Lalita Sahasranama Kunkuma Archanai, Kanni Puja, Shodashi Deeparadhanai