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During Sancharam often the entire Sri Matam will stay in a sishya's residence. For this to be possible the residence must be large enough to accommodate all the kainkaryaparas, there must be proper space for the Silver Mandapam of Perumal, convenient room must be available for Srimad Azhagiya Singar Ashramam, enough covered space where cooking with firewood is possible, and not the least of all well water must be readily and conveniently available. Further, the host sishya must be able to bear the expenses of the stay which can run to about Rs. 10,000 or more per day. Therefore, only sishyas with reasonable means will be able to host the entire Sri Sannidhi.
On the other hand, Dolai can be hosted by a much larger cross section of sishyas. The cost is not very high, in the order of Rs. 3,000 to 5,000. Space and well water requirements are not there. Dolais are held in the evening. Dolai takes about 45 minutes on the average from the time Srimad Azhagiya Singar arrives with Dolai Kannan at the host sishyas house.
During a Dolai Lord Kannan visits the Sishyas house. The procedure is well established and works like clock work. Dolai Kannan and the Dhivyabharanas are ceremoniously brought to the bus in a decorated box while Vadyam and Thiruchchinnam plays auspicious music. The party includes at least one Aradhakar, one or two Sri Sannidhi paricharaka, one or more Ashrama kainkaryaparas, Mryth kainkaryapara and a few others. They all ride with Srimad Azhagiya Singar and Lord Kannan. When they arrive at the host sishya's house Lord Kannan alights to the sound of vadyam and thiruchchinnam and is taken to the main hall. The Sannidhi Paricharakas and the Aradhakar sets up the Dolai and have Kannan in the dolai all decked up in Dhivyabharanas and flowers. The decoration is so exquisite that when the curtain opens no one will be able to take their eyes off Kannan.
It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for setting up the Dolai and getting Lord Kannan decorated. During this time, Srimad Azhagiya Singar may visit one or two other sishya's house nearby (ponnadi satthal = gracing with Simad Azhagiya Singar's golden feet). During a "ponnadi" Srimad Azhagiya Singar is seated in Simad Azhagiya Singar's divine thrown and the sishya's family offers upachArams. They prostrate at the lotus feet of Srimad Azhagiya Singar and receive Manthrakshadai.
Being the recipient of "Ponnadi" is considered a great honor by the sishyas. AdiyEn is aware of a government official in Delhi who remained in the same house even after getting promoted and became eligible for a larger house, just because the house he was in had received the grace of Srimad Azhagiya Singar's "ponnadi".
After "poonadi" Srimad Azhagiya Singar arrives at the host sishya's house and everything is ready. With family and friends gathered there is usually standing room only.
When the alankaram is complete the curtain is taken off. Sishyas start singing for Kannan who sits divinely in the swing (dolai) gently rocking back and forth. Everyone is mesmerized by the beauty of Kannan. Time just stands still. After everyone has had a chance to sing to Kannan, Srimad Azhagiya Singar gives a small upanyasam. Then, curtain is drawn for offering, usually Jeera. Curtain comes off for Mangalaharati followed by distribution of prasadam.
As Srimad Azhagiya Singar prepares to leave, the kainkaryaparas load everything back in the bus. With the accompaniment of vadyam and Thiruchchinnam Kannan is brought to the bus and Srimad Azhagiya Singar also boards the bus. Often times there will be two or three Dolais in a given evening. If so Kannan and Srimad Azhagiya Singar are driven to the next host sishya.
At the conclusion of all the Dolais arranged for the evening, Kannan and Srimad Azhagiya Singar return to Sri Sannidhi as the conclusion of Malolan's Panaka Aradhanai for Malolan awaits their return.