One of the reasons why I can never live in any place other than Madras that is Chennai is the Kapali temple festival. Among several things, this for me is a fixture in the annual calendar. And in this ten day festival, the rShabha vAhanam is the highlight. The moon above, the silence of the Mylapore streets, the illumination, the nagaswaram, the tavil and the majestic gait of Kapali as He advances in His procession… how can I describe any of this?
The gopuram and the nIrAzhi manDapam were so beautifully illuminated…
Here is Narthana Ganapathy, all bounding with joy…
Suddenly, rounding a corner, I come face to face with the Lord…
Swami! I am exhausted after not sleeping the whole night out of fear that I would wake up late and miss your procession. But you are looking as fresh as ever. What is the secret of your energy?
Karpagambal was Her usual elegant self …
And if you thought the minazhagu was great, take a look at pinnazhagu…
A not very clear close-up…
Singaravelar on the golden peacock – mayUrAdhirUDham as Adi Sankara said…
I caught Chandikeswarar rather appropriately in the reflected light from Kapaliswarar’s illumination…
As always I am reluctant to leave. But what to do Swami? Duty beckons. Missed your dance at the gopuram. Next year surely…
For those who want to know more about the Kapali temple festival, here are some added notes:
Music and Dance during the Mylapore temple festival
On Papanasam Sivan who composed many songs in praise of the deities here
Sivan came to Madras for the first time in 1921 to participate in the rShabha vAhanam festival
Some songs by Sivan on the Kapali temple and its deities
And finally, photos from earlier rShabha vAhanam festivals
Thank you..for the wonderful dharshan of Sri Kapalishwarar..anushakti BALU
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beautiful…
I look forward to your write up and pictures of this festival every year now.
This time you outdid yourself. I thought you were going to burst into song any moment, continuing in Papanasam Sivan’s footsteps!
Even the pictures are inspiring. Can’t imagine how much more moving it will be to be part of this ‘moving’ event. Thanks for bringing it to those of us who are scattered around the globe 🙂
The sixteen pillared hall looks filled but orderly. Do you need a special pass to enter it?
Hi, the 16-pillared hall is the small one in which the deities are standing. It is open to all
Velli-idairshabha-vahanam? Silver idai? Sriram, please elaborate on the etymology to educate the gnana soonyams.
The rishabha vahanam always came just a month before the final exams. It was a good break from the “mugging” sessions to go pray. Without Kapali, and Karpagambika, (ably assisted by the Anjaneyaswami on Royapettah High Road) we could not have passed those exams.
Of course now being in jail, I can only look forward to your posts to experience the beauty of the festival. Hopefully, next year, the parole officer would grant me extension to stay through the Kapali utsavam.
Girish
Girish,
The viDai (answer) is that iDai is viDai (rishabham). So,a silver bull vehicle it is.
Assuming you are a law-abiding citizen, I ask: why are you under arrest?
Thanks for posting the pictures. Hats off to you sir.
P Bhaskaran
Arasi,
Thanks for the explanation. Forgive my for my feeble attempt to be humorous with the jail remark. The jail I referred to is the USA. On that note, I shall take vidai from you.
Girish
Got it. So, ‘though banished, a true born’ Mylaporean!