Nandanotsavam Day 1
The Perarulalan, Kanchi Varadarajan ’s Brahmotsavam has begun. I missed the early morning walk to the temple and up into hill of Athigiri, the elephant hill to see that Lord leave the Moolasthanam, sanctum sanctorum to come down and preside over the Dwajarohanam. There were years when we would walk a km or two in the early hours to cross the Toll Gate, which is considered the boundary of the town to escape being caught in the “kodi”. It is a custom that once you are there when the Dwaja or kodi is hoisted that you should stay in the town till the Dwaraavarohnam which happens after the 10 day festival is over. Some of us who wouldn’t stay for all the ten days will go and stand outside the Toll Gate, till we heard the loud single cracker go up. For every single step of the Lord is announced by bursting the loud cracker. The first sound tells you the Lord has left the Moolasthanam. The second when he enters the Vaahana Mandapam – Where the vehicle of the day or vahana is kept ready....