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Srirangam: Unjal sEvai

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Mani Varadarajan • November 4, 1996 


From: keshava@srirangam.rect.ernet.in
To: Mani Varadarajan 
Date:          Fri, 1 Nov 1996 12:06:22 IST+530
Subject:       Oct 30th Unjal Sevai
Priority: normal

Tonight Unjal sevai started for 9 days at a mandapa just inside the
Aryabattal Gate. At 6pm the Lord accompanied by Sri Devi and Bhu
Devi are take on a silver palaquin from the Sanctum to this mandapa.
As the palaquin mounted the staircase to the high mandapa it stalled
several times and it took several attempts by the bearers to climb
the last few steps. After the Lord and Ubhaya Nachiyars were 
transfered to the Unjal (swing) pujas and naivedya are offered. Two 
priests stand in front waving chamaris and behind there is another 
waving a large hand fan. The Arias wearing Kulas come before the Lord 
and sing Prabhandas. The swinging, fanning and pujas goes on uptil 
8:30 pm when tirtha, setari etc are distributed. After this the Lord 
and his consorts again remount their silver palaquin for the return 
journey to the inner sanctum. After this festival there is another 
Unjal festival for 5 days at the Thayar sannidhi.