The same time last year, Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple wore a forlorn look around the praraka on the pradosham evening. As part of the Covid protocol following wave 2 of the pandemic, devotees were not allowed inside to have darshan of the pradosham procession.
Mylapore Times had reported stories of devotees standing at eastern and western entrances trying to have a glimpse as the pradosha moorthy passed by ( https://www.mylaporetimes.com/
These devotees stood for long listen to the othuvar’s recital – from outside the temple.
This Wednesday (Aug 24, 2022) evening was testimony to life having returned to the good days. There were around some 1000-plus devotees to watch the Nandi abhisekam followed by the procession.
The Vedic recital too is back with different groups presenting the each of the Vedas during the three rounds of the procession. There were also those who recited the Thevaram verses.
There was pin drop silence when Othuvar Sathgurunathan presented the sacred verses in front of the alankara mandapam and then the folded hands went up in unison when the hereditary priest presented the deepaarathanai.
Into the third round of the procession, devotees were treated to a voyali display by the Sripatham Thangis who played to the tunes of Mohan Dass’s Nagaswaram.
– Report and photo by S. Prabhu
