Saraswathy Srinivasan
The annual Brahmotsavam at the ancient Marundeeswarar Temple in Thiruvanmiyur, a much looked forward to event in the neighbourhood, drew to a close on Saturday with the grand Float festival. The ‘Panguni Thiruvizha', as the 11-day festival is called, began on March 28 with the flag hoisting that was witnessed by thousands of devotees. Yaga Sala pujas, speacial abhishekams and ‘Panchamurthy Veedi Ula' (procession of deities) formed part of the inaugural celebrations. The highlights of the Brahmotsavam were the 'Adhikara Nandi' held early in the morning on March 30 when Lord Chandrasekarar was taken out in a procession; 'Rishabhavahanam' on April 1; 'Ther Thiruvizha' (Temple Car procession) on April 3; Parivettai Vizha (procession on Horse) on April 4 and Kalyana Sundarar Thirukalyanam on April 5.The celestial wedding of Lord Thiagarajar with Goddess Thirupurasundari featured on the night of April 6, after which the flag was lowered to mark the completion of the Peruvizha.The ‘Theppam' (Float feastival) held on April 7 at the Big Tank was a breathtaking sight as the illuminated and bedecked Float bearing the deities made nine rounds in the water. The event that began at 6 p.m. drew a mammoth crowd of devotees from across the city who filled every inch of space around the tank to witness the ritual that went on till 11 p.m.
After this, the idols were placed on the 'Vellianguri' Vimanam (chariot) and taken around the Mada Veedis before culminating in 'Pandampari' an early morning ritual signifying the celestial wedding of Thiagarajar-Thirupurasundari.
Pomp and pageantry
For the hundreds of devotees who return year after year to witness the Brahmotsavam, the charm lies not only in the temple rituals showcased by the colourful processions in the mornings and evenings but also the transformation of the Mada Veedis surrounding the imposing temple complex and nearby lanes into a village fair-like atmosphere.
All the processions are accompanied by troupes playing Nadaswaram, Udal, Brahmathalam, Poori and Band.
In the evenings, devotees and the public are treated to classical dance, music concerts and discourses at the open-air auditorium.
The ‘Bavani Medai' on the eastern Maada Veedi, which at other times accommodates vegetable, fruit and flower vendors, becomes the cynosure of all eyes during the festival as this is where the ‘Thirubavani Nadanam' is staged on successive nights. Starting from the third day of the festival when the ritualistic dance by members bearing the idol of Thiagarajar is done thrice, it goes up to six times on the sixth day to the accompaniment of Tharai/Thappatai music. Another highlight is the ‘Thirunadana Katchi' on April 6 when the dance is done 18 times around the 16-pillared Mandapam in front of the Rajagopuram.
Even as the temple complex, including the majestic gopurams, mandapams and the temple tank shone in multi-hued splendour as dusk fell, the Veedis where small traders put up stalls selling a variety of goods throbbed with the banter and haggling by happy shoppers.
P. Lakshmikantha Bharatidasan, Executive Officer, Marundeeswarar Temple, and R. Raghunathanm FIT Person and Assistant Commissioner, HR & CE Department, praised the excellent bandobust support provided by the Home Guards and police personnel in crowd management and traffic control during the festival.