A Day in Sri Ahobila Matam - Part 1


Day Begins

The day begins at about 5:30 a.m. with the playing of "kottu" a combination of musical instruments such as "paRai", "Thiruchchinnam", and "Jalra". This serves as a wake up call for those who are not already up. If you wait for the 'Kottu" to get up you will have only about an hour and 10 minutes to get ready. You may have to rush through your morning routine.

At about 6:40 a.m. Thavil, Nadaswaram and Thiruchchinnam are ready in front of Srimad Azhagiya Singar's Ashramam waiting for the signal. The cowherd is giving a bath to the cow and calf. As Srimad Azhagiya Singar finishes anushtanam and places the white cloth back in Sri Tridhandam Simad Azhagiya Singar summons a kainkaryapara. This is the signal for "Vadyam" to start. To the sound of Thavil, Nadaswaram, and Thiruchchinnam, Srimad Azhagiya Singar emerges from Anushtanam.

It is a great feeling to prostrate at the lotus feet of Srimad Azhagiya Singar as He emerges from anushtanam. Srimad Azhagiya Singar puts on the padhukai and makes the short walk to the adjacent building wherein resides Sri Malola. As Srimad Azhagiya Singar walks with Sri Tridhandam in His divine hands, kainkaryaparas follow with one holding an ornamental umbrella, one carrying water in the kamandalam, one carrying saamaram and another the silver-dhandam used to keep the devotees from coming too close and accidentally touch Srimad Azhagiya Singar's thirumeni.

More devotees fall on the ground and prostrate. Srimad Azhagaiya Singar always enquires about the welfare of the devotees with a graceful smile.

Reaching the steps of the adjacent building Srimad Azhagiya Singar takes off the padhukai and awaits the kainkaryapara with the kamandalam to pour water at Simad Azhagiya Singar's holy feet. After washing the divine lotus feet, Srimad Azhagiya Singar enters the building. Some of us following along now get to sprinkle the Sri Padha Theertham upon our heads. One of us get to carry the Padhukai upon our head into the building for safe keeping near the entrance.

Most people come to the Sri Matam at about 9:00 a.m., in time for Theertam and Catari. They miss this golden opportunity for touching and sprinkling the Sri Padha Theertham. Therefore, if you ask me, the best time to come to Sri Matam is 6:30 a.m., just before Srimad Azhagiya Singar leaves the Ashramam. This way we get to fall at the louts feet of Acaryan as Simad Azhagiya Singar goes to Sri Malolan for Abhigamana Aradhanai, and also, the opportunity to sprinkle Sri Pada theertham upon our head.

As Srimad Azhagiya Singar approaches Sri Sannithi more people prostrate. Then, Srimad Azhagiya Singar goes near the Silver Mandapam where SriMalola is in Yoganidrai, and the curtain is drawn. The rest of the devotees wait outside for a cue from Srimad Azhagiya Singar to start the recitation of Sri Lakshminrisimha Suprabhatam composed by the 30th Azhagiya Singar, Sri Srinivasa Vedanta Yatindra Mahadesikan.

Previous | Next