Paranur Brahmothsavam - 2008

Nandhothsavam - Oonjal

The excitement of Nandhothsavam is reflected on the faces of all the devotees. The silver swing is tied in the Vasantha Mandapam and the devotees come early to get seats in the front. SriSriAnna comes with the Kutty Kitta. He is a crawling Kitta with butter on one hand. Anna has tied a pink cloth in his waist. A pearl necklace with a pink pendant adorn his neck. Anna places him on the swing. Another tiny kitta is also found near him. He resembles our Venkatakrishnan but we are not sure. Soon the place is crowded with devotees. Manni and Anna start pushing the swing gently. The morning sun falls straight on the swing. As Manni and other ladies sing SriSriAnna leans on to the pillar of the Vasantha Mandapam listening to it.

Lots and lots of garlands have been brought by the devotees. Anna takes each of the garland and throws it towards the devotees. It is vey exciting to watch as devotees try to catch the garland. Usually a group of ladies try to catch a single garland and in the melee that follows all the flowers fall off . Anna throws garlands all around, far and near. Some ladies also share the garlands they have caught with those nearby. Soon all of them have the garlands and gladly wear them. Anna is wearing a string of beautiful flowers which fly in the air as he throws the jasmine garlands.

Anna calls some married girls to the oonjal and they join Manni and push the swing. It is common knowledge in Paranur that girls pushing the swing during this function get conceived soon by the grace of Kolahalan. The Bagavathas led by Sri.Yagnaraman Anna take over the Bhajan from Sri.Manni. Anna is all smiles and so are the devotees.

Anna now takes a Shangam (white oyster shell used in temples for Abishegam) full of milk. He gives the milk to the Kutty kittas in the swing. By this time Anna's grandson Rajagopal has come and Anna feeds him some milk. He would not drink that easily and it pours out through his mouth. Anna gives the milk to Sri.Manni and then to all the kids nearby. He then blesses Kutty kitta and all the devotees by spraying Akshadha on them. He also showers jasmine flowers on the Kittas.

We were very lucky to get some good pictures of SriAnna and Sri.Manni together. What can give us more joy than to see the divine couple together. We also got a rare photo of their Padams together. Just imagine keeping these holy feet in our heart and it gives us great joy and solace.

Now grandpa wants to lift grandson. For us devotees whatever he does is Veda. We just enjoy everything. He lifted Rajagopal from his mother Visaka Manni. He showed him the kutty kitta. He even made him push the swing with his little hands. The child also seemed to be very comfortable with Anna. Anna carried Rajagopal for a long time and one could easily see the joy he felt. His cheeks swelled with pride while carrying his grandson. Finally Anna gave rajagopal to Subadraji. He was sitting comfortably in his Aunts lap.

Anna now fed Kutty kitta with butter. He also gave lots of butter to Rajagopal and other kids. Manni took a Harathi and it was time for the kutty kitta to go into the temple. Anna carefully lifted him and took him into Kolahalan temple.

Everyone were now eagerly waiting for Anna to come out and start pouring milk and butter and start the Nandhothsavam. Let us also wait for the greatest celebration.

Dwajarohanam  Sheshavahanam Nandhothsavam-Onjal Nandhothsavam-Celebration Nandhothsavam-Final