The Nei Deepam Yetrum Vizha was held today at the Sri Mayuranathar Alayam, Srimath Pamban Swamigal Thirukovil in Dengkil and simultaneously at the Sadhananda Swamigal Ashram, Perungalathur, Chennai.
It was a day of total surprises for us at AVM. The divine took charge of all matters even as we planned the whole event well to the minutest details.
When Bala Chandran, Mahin and me went over to scout out the suitability of holding the event at the Sri Mayuranathar Alayam, Srimath Pamban Swamigal Thirukovil, we were greeted by strong winds. A fear crept in us as to how we were going to light the lamps with the strong winds that prevailed in the venue. The temple chairman gave us the courage to go ahead telling us that the winds shall not blow during the lighting. Sure enough there was no wind during the lighting of the lamps. The wind began to blow as we began to plant trees. The wind turned strong bringing in heavy showers only in the late afternoon after the puja was over and many had left.
As we looked around as to how to fit all the events that is performing the Homa, the Abhisegam and lighting the lamps, all within the Yaaga Saalai, we figured that it would be rather a tight fit. But today as we stepped into the place to begin preparations for the event we realized to our surprise that the space was large and that we would have ample space to carry out all three activities. Amazing.
Erai brought the event to another level, with the surprise arrival of Thava Thiru Kumara Swamy Aiya from the Agathiyar Ashram in Anuvavi, Tamil Nadu, India. Swamiji led the prayers.
Another surprise that was in store for us was the planting of sacred trees that was spearheaded by a dedicated devotee of Swami Sri Gnanananda Giri and Swami Haridhos Giri.
A third surprise was in store for us when Thiru Babu Loganathan, son of the famous playback singer Trichy Loganathan rendered several devotional numbers with Thiru Subramaniam Purushothman Aiya.
The final surprise was that the divine willed that we carry out a similar puja next year and the year after at the same premises.
It was indeed a day of surprises.
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| Sri Mayuranathar and Srimath Pamban Swamigal |
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| Thava Thiru Kumara Swamy Aiya leading the homa |
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| Arunagirinathar (left), Agathiyar and Pamban Swamigal in the foreground and with Lord Muruga as the Vel in the background |
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| AVM's Guru Bala Aiya honoring Thiru Babu Loganathan Aiya |
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| Bala Aiya honoring Thiru Subramaniam Purushothman Aiya |
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| The Producer of Agathiyar Geetham Audio CD and singer Gowri Arumugam gifting both Thiru Subramaniam Purushothman Aiya and Thiru Babu Loganathan Aiya with copies of the album |
Crossing the Indian Ocean we received photos of the Nei Deepam Yetrum Vizha from Rakesh and his team at Thedal Ulla Thenikalai (TUT).
