Abhishekam of Bhoodat AZhwar in avatara utsavam

The abishekam that had sacred rituals like pouring milk, ghee, honey etc and then pouring water and then wiping the deities dry and then showing sambrani,mirror and then aarti though a bit long winding the chanting of Vedas in a sing song tone side by side by two rows of temple priests and the clear musical rendition of Aazhwars pasurams [hymns] by a lone Brahmin priest was very touching ,conjuring up the images of Bhodat azhwar andTirumangai aazhwar singing them with deep devotion before the deity,and made the time fly!

The rending of the air now and then with the sacred names 'Govind'a and 'Narayana' by devotees assembled there was electrifying.

At 6.30 pm the main aarti was shown to all the deities. and bits of tulsi from the garland adorning Ulaga uya nindra perumal and the water sanctified by the mantras chanted so far ,was given to all as prasadam.

How fortunate is Bhoodat aazhwar to be feted thus even after 1500 years later and how lucky we are to be the recipient of his wisdom.And how very important are these temple rituals in fostering bhakthi as well as keeping ancient history, traditions and memories alive ,I came to know in this felicitation of the saint of yore.

Then the crowd of devotees, dark and light skinned, urban and rural, men and women, Brahmin and non Brahmins, rich and poor, who had all come to witness the abhisekam sat down on the floor of the temple in rows in a orderly manner.I too took the cue and did the same.Then two young Brahmin priests scooped piping hot peppery delicious ven pongal dripping with ghee on to our leaf plates.There were some more to come, both prasad and rituals but due to time constraint i left and proceeded back to Chennai.

Photos.On top:The abhisekam of processional deity of stalaasayanaperumal known as ulaga uyanindra perumal and nilamangai tayar.

Below .The abhisekam of Bhoodat aazwars idol.Near the lamp.