On 21st February, the usual Parivettai Utsavam of Sree Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal was celebrated. This is when the Bronze idol of the deity is placed in a Palanquin and carried in procession through the streets. This is to enable the old, sick, infirm and the othertwise house-bound to have glimpse of the Lord. Utsav is a popular event in Indian temples and every Hindu Temple has its own calendar when Brahmotsav is celebrated with pomp and show. This is so deeply rooted a custom that it is followed even in Christian Shrines such as the Shrine of Velankanni in Nagapattinam district where the Image of the Holy Mother Mary is placed in a wooden chariot and taken in procession.
I had another close encounter with the Lord Venkatesa when we visited Thirumal;a Thirupathi. We took the IRCTC Day trip option. They pick you up at 5:30 AM from the TTDC office on Venkatnarayana Road and take you direct to Thirumala. There they push you into the Rs. 300/- Jaldi Dharshan Queue. They take you next to Thiruchaanur and around 8:30 PM drop you back at Chennai.
Why do so many people flock to this Temple amidst Seven Hills spending time, energy and resources, waiting endlessly in queues for the briefest of brief glimpses of the Idol of Vekatachalapthy?
Vinaa Venkatesam Na Natho Na Nathaha
Smara Venkatresam Smarami Smarami
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