The Tamil month of Aani(june 15th -july15) has a special significance in the shrine of Hayagreevar. For several years Aani deepam is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm by the ladies. This year also it was celebrated with the same interest by the ladies in this temple town last week.

We celebrate Karthikai Deepam , what is Aani depam? On a specified day the precincts of the temple is festooned with intricate Pulli kolam. Since Deepam signified Oli -lights hundreds of brass lamps were placed on the kolam which resembled a huge brass vessel, which is aesthetically designed. A ladies coterie took control of the event and filled the lamps with oil and wick.-Thirinool. The presiding and his consort arrived at the hall where the lighting ceremony was held.

The celestial congregation blessed the devotees from Oonjal -swing which was bedecked with fragrant flowers. The multi hued flowers on the swing was alluring that it looked like a flower borough.

At dawn when the sun faded into its abode the chief priest lit the lamp in the sanctum sanctorum. There were two huge brass lamps amidst tiny lamps. The traditional shone resplendently after it was lit. The five faces of the lamps -Ayndhu mukam was brilliant like thousands suns.

All the ladies were attired in the traditional saris, lit the lamps and placed it on the kolam . When all the lamps were lit the place looked a heaven on earth. The lamps radiated effulgence and created a divine aura. People from far off place flocked to the temple on that day to propitiate the lord and seek his blessings.

This is an annual event which not only has a spiritual color but a social hue as it enabled women to interact with each other.

Usharaja