Kapaleeswarar Brahmotsavam 2019 2020

The Possibility of a Devotional Bonanza at the historical temple in Mylapore is real

The Devotees could witness this once in a life time occurance of two full fledged Brahmotsavams one after another, in the coming months

This year’s (Saarvari) Panguni Brahmotsavam at the Kapaleeswarar temple is likely to take place in a couple of months time starting the third week of March. But before that, the devotees may be in for a real surprise. One could actually get to witness in the coming months (Thai or Maasi) the Brahmotsavam that had not been conducted last year (Vikari) in the Panguni of 2020 following the lockdown restrictions that were imposed in the middle of March 2020.

Prescription in the Agamas 

The Agamas have laid out clear processes for aradhana and conduct of utsavams during war times and emergencies “As per the Saivite Agama, a Brahmotsavam that could not be held as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances and put off indefinitely should necessarily be conducted in the coming months (before the next Brahmotsavam) once normalcy returned”, says Kapali Vaidhyanathan Gurukal, a long serving priest at the Kapaleeswarar temple 

As early as the initial phase of the lockdown in 2020, the priests of the Kapaleeswarar temple had presented various options to the authorities for the conduct of the Brahmotsavam. However, the extension of the lockdown for well over six months and the restrictions on street processions meant these options could not be explored earlier. 

Last Year's Brahmotsavam likely in Thai or Maasi?

With the permission granted recently to the street procession around the four Mada Streets for the Nataraja Utsavam in Margazhi and the further easing of restrictions on temple processions across the city with Street Processions for Andal's Neerattam having begun this week in multiple temples and the Varadaraja Perumal Procession on the occasion of Hastham in Thiruvallikeni last evening, it is likely that the Kapaleeswarar temple would explore the possibility of conducting the Brahmotsavam relating to Vikari year (Panguni of 2020). If a decision is taken in that direction, it will have to be conducted before the start of this year’s Panguni Brahmotsavam ( the Utsavam is likely to start in the third week of March with Theerthavari on Panguni Pournami Sunday March 28). 

It may be recalled that the Kapaleeswarar temple had performed a one off Thiru Kalyana Utsavam in the first week of June last year without the physical presence of devotees. 

Brahmotsavam should be full fledged 

As per the Vaishnavite agama, a Brahmotsavam that could not be held on its original date if conducted later after normalcy returns should be done with the full and active participation of the people and not just as a formality for the records, says Agama expert Vasan Bhattar of the over 1000 years old Therazhundur Divya Desam near Mayiladuthurai. 

Devotional Bonanza -Two Brahmotsavams within a short period

If the discussion fructifies into performing last year’s Brahmotsavam in its full form with Vahana processions and the authorities grant permission to conduct the grand utsavam that had not been held last year, then it will be a once in a life time devotional bonanza for devotees of the Kapaleeswarar temple with them being able to witness two Brahmotsavams one after another probably within a month of each other. 

54 year old IT Enterpreneur TN Venkatanarayanan, who has been a resident of Nadu Street all his life, has been watching the Panguni Utsavam every year from the 1970s from a vantage point on the first floor with several devotees thronging his house for that exclusive view of Arubathu moovar and the Chariot Procession. 

He remembers the Utsavam creating a carnival atmosphere around the Mada Streets “The entire family was involved in the festivities. It was a great feeling to host several friends and relatives during the festival. We used to invite them, proactively. Our house was full of guests and visitors during this period.” 

Venkatanarayanan says that it was during such times that children listened to legendary temple tales relating to the Saint Poets “As families got together for the utsavam, the elderly used to narrate historical stories about the temple, the significance of the processions that kept the children engrossed. There was a charm attached to the festival. Those that were part of the utsavam always saw it as a spiritual and divine blessing. The utsavam always provided the people with positive vibration that energized them in their day to day activities” 

While the cancellation of the utsavam in the Panguni of 2020 was a big disappointment for him and many other Kapali devotees, the prospects of two Brahmotsavams in the coming months closely following each other may be pleasing to their ears. 

This section will track the developments over the next fortnight.