It was a deeply devotional evening at the Vedantha Desikar temple for it was the start of the first big utsavam after the lockdown restrictions for temples were lifted earlier this month.
A large number of devotees, the young and the elderly, gathered for the start of the seven day Kodai Utsavam for Srinivasa Perumal. The Sripatham members were in good numbers too to carry Srinivasa Perumal and Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar in separate pallakkus.
Shortly after 6pm, Srinivasa Perumal made his way to the mandapam at the south end of the temple complex to enjoy the evening with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar. On the occasion, young devotees presented devotional songs ahead of the procession.
Following the presentation of puliyotharai and dhadhyonam as prasadam, Srinivasa Perumal went on a procession inside the temple listening to the recital of Thiru Mangai Azhvaar’s Periya Thirumozhi verses rendered by the Prabhandham members with the group of Vedic pandits following the Lord.
Interestingly, while the grand celebrations were on at the Vedantha Desikar Temple under the watchful eyes of the trustees, the nearby Sri Kesava Perumal Temple had already shut the main doors.
Well into the end of the second week after the lifting of restrictions, the management of that temple continues to play it safe by limiting the darshan timings to 10.30am in the morning and 7.30pm in the evening.
Last Wednesday evening, Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple had left hundreds of devotees unhappy by keeping the devotees away from the pradosham event.
– Report and photo; S. Prabhu
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