Ratnangi sevai at Kanchipuram ( Thatha desikan utsavam)

The ThathaDesikan Utsavam at Kanchipuram

As a grand finale to Sumaithangi Krishnaswami Iyengars 100^th birth centenary  celebrations, out of the blue came an invitation from the Thathachari family to participate in their family utsavam at Kanchipuram.

As we decided to make a trip to Kanjeevaram to enjoy this festival, we were joined by my husband’s eldest sister whose enthusiasm for koil hopping doesn’t match her health, but come she did.

We reached at about 8.30am on 23^rd Nov 14 and were greeted by the host family and proceeded to have a quick dharsahn of the Thatha Desikan ,and his wife Ammanga. Both idols were in black stone standing tall and majestic but with hands folded in Sri Vedantha Desigan sannindhi. There is a sitting Desikan there too. This sannidhi is right before we enter the main temple just outside the inner praharam to our right.

Then to see the Queen of all Devis…Perundevi Thayar . She sits very majestically  bestowing her kindness and glory on all. She has the Sristhuthi dedicated to her by Vedantha Desikan. It is hard not to ask her for everything we can think of under the sun….but as mere mortals we did…too.

After this we wait for Varadar purappaaddu…..as Devadirajan his purapadu is a much awaited affair.

When He finally casts His eye on us (when the screen is opened) with Harathi  there is a hush in the crowd as we realize that He is dressed in a grand Rathnangi. This is a dress which is like a coat made out of rubies and diamonds and a pant in like manner but the whole getup is covered in a white muslin cloth dulling the effect. With his pock marked face  to show that He came out of fire, Varadan is all Glory and beauty and majesty all rolled into one. He is one who grants all wishes.

With a crowd full of wish making and asking and praising His beauty, we fall in step and enjoy the next much awaited agenda…the parayanam that follows and precedes Him in procession.

Kanjeevaram is famous for its Kodai azhagu (umbrella beauty) and also for its vedam and thamizh parayanam. Literally a Veda Gosham which reached the Heavens, which gave me goose bumps. The average age of the goshti was around 70! Varadan was lost amidst this glorious chanting. One has to see ,hear this to believe in sound energy.

We rushed to see the DevadiRajan in his small hillock. and as we go in a queue to see Him He stands tall , smiling ever willing to listen, to grant ,to accept, to concede whatever…..

Bowled over by His prescience we come away feeling a little lost and confused but very satisfied that we came to the right person.

And then its time to have lunch at the Nammalwar Desikan trust where the Thathacharis have arranged food. After food its over to Mr Sunderrajans house very near the temple to have a dekko at his awesome creations …wealth out of waste. He has created huge idols out of paper mache, drinking glasses, wood, thermocol, and what not .Nothing goes waste here.

We weave our way back to the Desikan sannidhi for a dharshan of thirumanjanam of utsavar and thayar. After about an hour of standing here and there and not being able to have any kind of good dharshan we decide to leave.

All said and done its hard not to say this …that we need to be a little more organized in the way we wait for dharshan….I  listened to a hearty conversation between two young men about Facebook and tweeting right near the Perumal when we were trying in vain to catch a glimpse.

..It has been A VERY TIRING WEEK END …..