This is a great season at the temples in Mylapore. Vaikunta Ekadasi, Pongal and teppam fests. One after the other. We looked closely at the events listed out by various temples and chose to highlight some parts of these that you may want to take part in.
Sri Kapaleeswar Temple
The annual teppam, on for three days from January 15 is quite a spectacle. Be in temple on any evening to see the alankaram in process. Then, enter the tank on any of the three sides – gates are normally opened to the public. Get a nice seat on the stone steps and watch the teppam do its rounds. Only guests and invitees of the temple can get access to the teppam and go on its rounds.
Madhava Perumal Temple
The pagal pathu (day) and ra pathu (night) utsavam (festival) is currently being celebrated here. The first day of Ra pathu is Vaikunta Ekadasi which falls on Jan 11. On this day, Lord Srinivasa will enter the temple via the Paramapada vasal at around 5:30 a.m.. The utsavar (the deity taken out in processions) will adorn the “navaratna kavacham”- an armor made out of nine precious stones. The moolavar will be presented in a special alangaram–using special flowers and jewellery. The temple will be open from 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ph:24985112
Sri Karaneeswarar Temple
The special pongal abhisekham forthe Lord and goddess Porkodi Amman on Jan 14 at 5:30 a.m. will be followed by an abhishekam for Soorya at 8 am.. On Jan 15, Lord Nandi will be honoured with a special alankaram (decoration) in the evening. Fruit and flower garlands and garlands made out of sweets and savouries like murukku, adhirasam will be offered to Lord Nandi. Gho pooja will also be conducted in the evening. Ph:24660648.
Adi Kesava Perumal Temple
As part of the Ra pathu celebrations, a procession for goddess Andal is on Jan 13 followed by andal kalyanam at 7 p.m. On Jan 14, the viswaroopa darshan of the Lord will take place at 4:30 a.m.. Devotees can catch the final part of the upanyasam on Andal kalyanam by Kidambi Narayanan at 7a.m.. The temple has also organised a special darshan for Vaikunta Ekadasi. Ph:24643873.
Velleeswarar Temple
On Jan 14, Lord Velleswarar and goddess Kamakshi will be taken on a procession in the morning and in the evening. On Jan 15, the temple has planned a special kannu utsavam for goddess Kamakshi followed by a procession. A special alankaram for Lord Nandi has been planned on that day. You can view the alankaram from 4p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ph:24611393.Thiruvalluvar Temple
The Thiruvalluvar temple is possibly the only one of its kind dedicated to this philosopher. For his followers, this space, located off Nattu Subbaraya Street is the heart of all they want to do on his treatise, the Thirukural. This season, a group will conduct a “Thirukkural” contest for students on Jan 12. A debate has been organized on Jan 15 followed by a tavil and nadaswaram kutcheri by 133 artistes. At 27, Thiruvalluvar Koil Street, Mylapore. Ph:24981893
– Reported by Preeti Srivatsan
