Temple festivals were meant for aesthetic viewing pleasure, communal worship and a feeling of closeness. One such beautiful festival is the Thotothsavam at the Varadaraja Perumal temple, Kanchipuram. It is celebrated for two days post Chitra Pournami. The festival starts at 5.30 a.m. and concludes at 6 a.m. the next day. This year the festival took place on May 6.
It is believed to have been instituted possibly by Venkatapathy Deva Maharaya, a descendant of Krishna Devaraya in the 16th century and is held in the small mandapam set amidst the ‘Inam Garden’ a few yards from the temple, on the banks of River Vegavati.
The festival follows an elaborate routine, adhered to over the years. It commences with the procession of the deity amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns and Divya Prabhandam. A unique feature is the deity being accompanied by Viswaksenar. As the deities come to the garden, the evil eye is warded off in a quaint ceremony followed by offerings of food and clothes to the accompaniment of the chanting of Kubera sloka and the nagaswaram rendition of the kriti ‘Ra Ra Ma Inti’ in Asaveri raga.
Kshema taligai or a special offering of chakkarai pongal is served and the ritual bath is given. The highlight is the sandalwood paste ground with saffron. Once upon a time tola (100 gms), the quantity has reduced now but the fragrance is still present!
The deities offer darshan at the mandapam and in the evening a slow and sedate procession with fireworks and unjal are also enjoyed. Special darshan continues well past midnight when food is offered to the deities and the devotees. At around 1.30 a.m., the deity is adorned with sikkathaadu (dressed in Jasmine) and by 4.30, accompanied by Vedic chants, returns to the temple. At about 5.30 a.m. the deity reaches the Hanuman temple where the procession slowly draws to a close.
For those who want to be a part of this annual ritual, contact R.K. Tata Chari (Ph: 98400 83425) or email: ashwin.royadurg@gmail.com.
