Thread by @veejaysai

Kaisiki Ekadasi around the corner! I reach the ancient Divyadesam of Lord Azhagiya Nambirayar in remote Thirukkurungudi. 😊

Over the next couple of days, thousands of devout Shrivaishnavas will land here to see the Kaisiki Natakam.

Shall start a new thread with #Kaisiki2019.

The temple follows a beautiful syncretic culture of both Shaivite and Shrivaishnavite traditions from ancient times! You will find sculptures of from both iconographies on same walls. Check this with Ulagalanda Perumal and Gajasamhara Moorthy 😊

#Kaisiki2019

Every morning both the gorgeous beauties from the temple, Kurungudi Valli and Sundara Valli accompany a priest of each Sampradayam to the nearby stream of the Tamraparini river and bring water in Kalshams for Perumal Tirumanjanam and Sivan Abhishekam. 😍

#Kaisiki2019

Rehearsals for #Kaisiki2019 were underway at the ancient Thotadrinathan kovil in Nanguneri. Unlike other 'plays', this is a ritual performance. Cannot happen outside a temple. Everything is an offering. 😊🙏

His Holiness the Jeeyar Sawmy of Vanamamalai decided to attend the rehearsals. 😊🙏

#Kaisiki2019

Took a walk around the ancient temple to find some exquisite sculptures. The Vanara Sena building the Rama Setu. 😊 🙏

#Kaisiki2019

Lord Rama with Sugriva 😊 🙏

#Kaisiki2019

Pretty women with pots of nectar and few others feeding their pet parrots. 😍

#Kaisiki2019

One striking larger than lifesize sculpture of Goddess Meenakshi behind a pillar. Here she is holding her 3rd breast in her left hand! A beautiful sculpture from the Madurai Nayak era. 😊 🙏

#Kaisiki2019

A closeup of the same. 😍

What a fierce warrior goddess!

What amazing detailing! Her clothes, jewelry....can't imagine what incredible craftsmanship it must have taken to sculpt this in stone! 😊 🙏

#Kaisiki2019

This morning Jayalakshmi is here as usual. Putting Kolam. A few dots and lines.....working up some magic as usual...😍

#Kaisiki2019

And this happened! Magic! 😍

#Kaisiki2019

I asked her and she said she doesn't remember any of the designs. They happen then and there, thoughts out of her head. 😊

This morning I decided to follow the two gorgeous beauties to the temple tank...😍

#Kaisiki2019

The residents of the street feed them fresh Idlis along the way. They stop by a roadside tap to drink water. 😍

cuteness overload!

#Kaisiki2019

You want to see what a real 'Gaja Gaamini' is? 😎

Here you go! 😍

#Beauty

#Kaisiki2019

The Archakas from both the Sampradayams, Shaivite and Shrivaishnavite, follow with Kalashams. 😊🙏

#Kaisiki2019

They draw water from the temple well for the early morning Abhishekam. 😊🙏

#Kaisiki2019

The 'Thiru Chihnnam' alerts everyone around that the Kalashams are being carried to the temple. Almost like a soft trumpet. 😊 🙏

#Kaisiki2019

Today is auspicious #Kaisika Ekadasi. Few thousands of devout have already landed up here. 😊

Full grand preparations within the Kovil. Check out these youngsters grinding fresh sandal paste for Perumal. 😍

You want to see how it is done? This is absolutely hard work! Check the rhythmic movement! For several hours!

All for the love of Perumal! With so much Bhakthi.

The mantapam is filled with the fragrance of fresh sandalwood paste. 😍

😊 🙏 😊

#Kaisiki2019