On our previous Utsavam trip to melkote, it was the fourth day of 10 day Utsavam, and we could attend the goshti where they recite the hymns sung by Azhwars each day. On the final day of the Utsavam, being the Saattrumurai, Thirumanjanam, Purappadu ( Swami blesses the people around the temple going through the streets) and other recitals.
This time, Srishan was the highlight, I have been telling him since morning, that we were going to Melkote to prostrate before Ramanujar ( Thamar Ugandha Thirumeni - One who was idoled by his most beloved disciples ) He was overjoyed, in first place becoz we were taking him out, so he could see traffic, lot of trees, and things of interest. Half way through, he slept in the car seat. We took the Nice road, and cut down our time on traffic by almost half an hour. We started by 12 noon and reached by around 3.15. Srishan woke up, and so I fed him with some cerelac. He also did his usual routines. Then we went inside the temple to find the Thirumanjanam over, and alankaram done. The goshti was there, and around 250 to 300 people. We got the thirumanjana theertha prasadam and also Swami's blessings. Srishan was startled seeing too many people around, but delighted with the prasadams he got. One of our relatives also recognised us and spoke. Then we had a close darshan of Ramanujar. Then we went to have lunch, around 4 PM. Though it was quite late, we had good lunch( Thadhiyaaradhanai) at Vanamamalai Mutt. The highlight was Swami Akkarakani Srinidhi serving us all. I was telling Srishan that he is the one whos CD we play daily to listen to Poorvacharya Stotra Mala. Then we came back and saw that the sannidhi was closed. Srishan had walked inside the temple as a full pradakshinam, and was even more delighted on climbing the steps to the sannidhi of Pillai Lokacharyar. We could not stop him from doing that , he kept on insisting that we hold his hands when he climbs. At one point of time, We just left him, and saw that he was trying to climb the steps on his own. He was too enthusiatic to climb. The next event was Purappadu at around 7 pm. It would be too late for us to return to bangalore, so we left around 6.30 pm. Reached by around 10pm.
Two things amazed me in this trip!!! We were blessed to be there on Swami's thirunakshatram and Acharya purushas were serving and showed their humility
