We went to Kannika after a longish day of working out illustration integration with Abhishek, and working on Sthalam’s website. Had a long chat with the Iyer, who was as usual affable and kind. I’ve updated Kannika Parameswari’s ritual calendar with further details. As usual, there was a new alankaram for the utsavar, and Ambal in full Chandana kaappu with 3 heads, mirroring the utsavar–a Muppidari form, or mumukha, I don’t recall which. The Iyer was explaining what we do to others around, and it was warming to hear him affirm our efforts. He’s a kind soul.
The day after Navaratri is Ananta Sayana, he said, for this temple–a rest day. After this, in this temple’s tradition the Vidaiyatri continues a full 7 days. This makes Kannika Parameswari’s Navaratri celebration a 17 day vizha, which almost no other temple does. The printed patrikai posted by the door affirms this, along with providing a schedule for various competitions and community events.