Procession all grace and majesty
PREMA NANDAKUMAR
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Devotees line up on the road to see Andal carry the golden pitcher of Cauvery water to the temple.
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Photos: R. Ashok
JUMBO MOUNT: The deity goes in a procession to the Cauvery for Aadiperukku festival and offers the river gifts.
Come Aippasi (October-November) month in Srirangam, it is time to have a glimpse of the temple elephant, Andal, bring a golden pitcher of Cauvery water at the break of dawn. The month of Thula is indeed precious for Srivaishnavites.
It was in Aippasi that the first three Azhwars — Poigai, Bhutan and Pey — were born and gave a wonderful start to the Bhakti movement in Tamil Nadu that ultimately spread throughout India. The month also marks the birth of Pillai Lokacharya who was not only a renowned spiritual teacher but also the one who heroically escorted the image of Lord Ranganatha out of Srirangam to safety when the holy city was decimated by the Islamic army of the Delhi Sultanate.
Again, Aippasi is a month hallowed for the River Cauvery. Associated with the zodiac sign Thula, a bath in this river, known as Dakshina Ganga, in Aippasi is believed to cleanse mankind of all sins. It is in this month that all the other sacred rivers come to the Cauvery and bathe in her and purify themselves. People assemble in the ghats at holy places such as Srirangapatnam, Srirangam, Tiruvaiyaru and Mayavaram.
Sacred Cauvery
Cauvery's association with Sri Ranganatha is indeed very close. The Lord goes in a procession to the river for Aadiperukku festival and offers the Cauvery new garments and other symbols of happy wedded life. During the month of Aani, for the Jyeshtabhishekam, Cauvery water is brought in a golden pitcher.
It is said that once upon a time the golden pitcher led a procession of one thousand silver pitchers and all the water was used for the Tirumanjanam of the Lord.
Even today the memory of the distant past has been kept alive when the common man refers to the "Ayiram Kudam Tirumanjanam."
During Aippasi as it is Thula month, Cauvery water is brought daily for the Lord's use.
During the month of Aani, for the Jyeshtabhishekam, Cauvery water is brought in a golden pitcher.
It is an early morning ritual and devotees wait as the temple elephant goes majestically to the river.
The pachyderm is escorted by police personnel and serviteurs carrying ceremonial umbrellas, sceptre and some silver pitchers.
The procession
The temple representative gets upon the elephant with the golden pitcher.
The procession begins to move slowly to the chant of Vedic mantras and the beating of the temple drum.
Two people, sitting behind the pitcher move the chowrie. It is a heartening sight to watch many people of Srirangam walking along with the elephant or just standing in a strategic place to catch a glimpse of the procession.
One can also watch the young and old, their garments dripping wet, smile happily once they are able to see the golden pitcher on the elephant. Yes, Srirangam temple's elephant Andal has all the majesty of a noble queen and the gentleness of a sweet mother, as she walks gracefully with divine deliberation from the Cauvery to the temple's Southern Gate (Nanmukhan Kottai Vasal). It is 6.30 a.m., and always Andal keeps good time! She has crossed the steps of the gate. Apparently she is very much aware of her sublime task!
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