TIRU ANBIL DWAJASTHAMBAM KAINKARYAM - Part 8

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TIRU ANBIL DWAJASTHAMBAM KAINKARYAM

TRIP TO INDIA FROM 05/192006 to 08/27/2006 – PART 8

 

 

20TH AUGUST 2006:

The great day had arrived. Before the day dawned, the GoshTi of Adhyaapakas, PaaraayaNakaras and Abhimaanis were all set “ready to go” by van sharp at 5.30 am. By 6.30 am, we reached Tiru Anbil for the PratishTai function. As before, the Swamis swung into action the very moment we touched base at Tiru Anbil.

 

Even at that early hour, a huge crowd including locals and people in and around Tiru Anbil had gathered to witness the grand event. The whole place wore a festive look and the joy of the occasion beamed on the faces of the participants. Again, there was a spectacular Homam which culminated in the “PoorNaahuti” The entire surroundings reverberated with the mantras pertaining to the PratishTai proceedings.

 

Exactly at 10.30 at the “Kanyaalagnam” fixed earlier, the BhaTTaachariars with a group of Kainkaryaparas climbed over the “Saaram” specially constructed to commence the “Tirumanjanam” of the Dwajasthambam. Pots and Pots of milk, yogurt, honey, tender coconut waters and finally the PoorNa kumbam waters were poured atop the Dwajasthambam. It was a grand sight to witness the sacred materials tricking down the Dwajasthambam.

 

With fresh mango leaves, the holy waters were sprinkled on the spectators. This not only purified their “Sareerams” but also elevated their spirits and sublimated their souls. A huge and long garland as also a long Vastram adorned the Dwajasthambam from top to bottom. The proceedings took about 45 minutes and got completed by 10.15 am (i.e) within the “Kanyaa lagnam” time fixed by the priests.

 

This was followed by a grand “Tadeeya Aaraadanai” with a smorgasbord of delicious items prepared at the “TirumaDappaLLI” of the temple by the expert cooks specially brought from Srirangam. Nearly 80 to 100 people were fed sumptuously with the special items usually reserved for “Dwaadasi PaaraNai”.

 

After resting for a while, the GOshTi left on the return journey to

Srirangam. A report on the successful dénouement of the mammoth function was submitted to His Holiness, Srimad Andavan, Sri Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam who was the motive force behind the Kainkaryam and who guided us from beginning to end. He was immensely pleased. I am sure that Sundaravalli Naachiyaar and VaDivazhagiya Nambi were equally pleased with the happy conclusion of the festivities.

 

We were advised that such a grand event should be followed by an equally grand “PavitrOtsavam”. Several Bhagavatas who attended pledged their support for the conduct of the same. Special mention should be made of Sri Govindarajan, a native of Tiru Anbil (who is working for Ashok Leylands in Chennai) who agreed to spearhead the project. I am sure the Tiru Anbil Divya Dhampatis would bless the efforts for the successful performance of “PavitrOtsavam” also.

 

DETAILS IN THE VARIOUS PHOTOS:

Though more than 250 photos were taken, only a 25 (10%) have been uploaded and archived at the “Photos” section of “Sri Ranga Sri” for want of space.

 

The pictures can also be viewed from the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/janaki70/

 

Our sincere thanks are due to our Atlanta member, Sri Sampathkumar

Padmanabhan and his Dharmapatni Smt Janaki for their help in uploading these photos in both the sites. Sri Gurumoorthy and his troupe, the official photographers of our Asramam took not only the photos but also Video snaps of the functions on 19th and 20th August 2006. Sri Sampathkumar has kindly consented to upload the Video snaps also shortly for your viewing pleasure.

 

It is now my pleasant duty to explain the sequence of the photos.

Incidentally, we will point out briefly to the some of the Vedic Vidwans, friends and Abhimaanis, who graced the functions.

 

PHOTOS TAKEN OF BAALAALAYAM FUNCTIONS ON 6th AUGUST 2006

There are 8 photos in this.

1. This is the view of the temple from outside.

2. As we enter, we first see the Dwajasthambam as it stood before the kainkaryam. You may see the damaged portions of the wooden pillar and some cracks that had developed in the Basement.

3. Aaraadana at the Vishwaksenar Sannidhi.

>From left to Right: Sri Santhanam, headmaster of the local school; Sri Badri from Srirangam; Sri V.S. Gopalan, a native of Anbil; Sri Lakshminarayanan and his wife from Srirangam (They are the in-laws of Sri Sampathkumar who uploaded the photos). They were with me throughout from the beginning to the finale and gave immense support for me. The person who stands between me and the Mami is Sri Varadaraja BhaTTar, the Archakar of Tiru Anbil Temple who first mooted the need for the renovation of the Dwajasthambam; Next to me on the right is Sri Nandu BhaTTar who is the Chief BhaTTaachar of Periya PerumaaL at Srirangam and who acted as the “Master of Ceremonies” throughout: The others are members of the GOshTi who came from Srirangam on all the 3 days.

4. The Baalaalayam ceremony: Sri Narasimha BhaTTar, another Chief Priest of Periya PerumaaL is tying a knot (MangaLa sutram) with a towel around the flagstaff.

5. Another view of Baalaalayam function.

6. Offering flowers to the Kumbams to which the powers were transferred prior to allowing the Sthapati to work on the Sthambam

7. Taking the Kumbams in circumambulation around the Praakaarams.

8. Group Photo of some members at the end of Balalayam. The one standing second from the left is the local Supervisor who is in charge of the Tiru Anbil Koil on behalf of the Devasthaanam.

 

PHOTOS TAKEN ON ANKURARPANAM, SANKALPAMFUNCTIONS ON 19th AUGUST 2006 and PRATISHTAI FUNCTIONS ON 20th AUGUST 2006.There are 17 Photos in this.

1. This is the view of the temple from outside. You can see how the facade appears spruced up with plantain trees and kOLam.

2. Sri Nandu BhaTTar tying the sacred thread around the Sthmabam. The “Saaram” can also be seen.

3. Tirumanjanam with milk.

4. Tirumanjanam with yogurt.

5. Tirumanjanam with tender coconut water.

6. Tirumanjanam with Kumbam water.

7. Going round the temple with offerings.

8. PoorNa Aahudi on 19th August 2006. The photographer had clicked even as the apple was half way through its fall into the hOma kUNDam.

9. PoorNa Aahudi on 20th August 2006.The offering of silk vastram in the fire.

10. PradakshiNam of the Praakaaram as a prelude to hOmam on 20th August 2006. The one standing to my right is Sri Govindarajan Swami (Ashok Leylands) who came from Chennai.

11. The temple honors to aDiyEn. Sri Narayanan of Ambattur (our SRS member) working for Cadsindia who came with Sri Govindarajan Swami from Chennai to Tiru Anbil and attended the functions on both days is standing to next to me.

12. “Koil Mariyadai” to aDiyEn in front of Andal and Garudan Sannidhis.

13. Vadivazhakiya Nambi Utsavar with Ubhayanaacimaar and Andal in sitting TirukkOlam.

14. Another photo of above.

15. Dwajasthambam in full glory. The “Saaram” has been removed and you can see the renovated Dwajasthambam painted with Red Oxide to prevent corrosion.

16. Same viewed from the entrance.

17. Blessed Kainkarya GOshTi. Some of the local Kainkaryaparas with their families can also be seen in the GOshTi.

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