Navaratri is round the corner - nay, it has started today; and there is ample evidence of it if the Golu so ably arranged by the resident ladies, on both sides of the Guruvayoorappan sanctum doorway, is anything to go by.
As I went to the temple this morning for darshan, all chairs well laid out for ladies to start kumkuma archanai. Needless to say the ladies were attired in their best - some sporting the colour ‘prescribed’ for day 1; others disregarding it after our friend Shankaranarayanan clarified at the Sunday morning Aanmika Valli meet that this finds no mention in the puranas. It is the handiwork of textile trades to promote their products.
The temple priest, better still, purohit, Shri Bharat Sharma who, with his suave features, can easily pass for a movie hero, did all that the occasion called for, from his standpoint. In other words, the stage was fully set for Navaratri celebrations. Well begun is half done.
I find this, and other celebrations that go on in our PP3 from time to time, a strong point for permanent relocation - Sankatahara chaturti, Vadamalai for Hanuman or special pujas at Murugan sannidhi for one’s birthday, marriage anniversary, etc., to mention a few. Simply put, out of the 30 days in a month you are sure to stay busy for at least 20 days attending one event of the other, meeting people - and having a chat as bonus.
Chanting of Lalitha Sahasranamam, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Hanuman Chaleesa, Rudram, Chamakam, and Suktams, Sai Bhajan, and a host of other prayers on specific days is another hallmark. If during these functions you find the inescapable presence of Parameswaran ji and Vishweswaran ji chanting ashtotram in front of the respective deity, don’t mistake them for temple staff. They represent our residents community doing this yeoman’s service facilitating purohit’s duties.
Similarly you will find Madam Vasumati, or Geetha Vaidyanathan giving a helping hand in the conduct of Sunday morning functions at the sit-out area of the cafeteria. Then there are others who ably convey messages through captivating stories from epics and puranas. Yet others participate in Anthakshari with a me-first spirit. Overall, it is a small, well-knit community. Yes, Small is Beautiful, goes well with PP3.
Then there is a Karaoke team. Mind you, one can earn one’s place in the group after an audition. The group renders periodically Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam and other film songs. Some renderings turn out outstanding, some good, some pass the muster, and a few leave scope for improvement. All in the game.
Then my friend from Extension B has already begun in full blast the curtain-raiser for his forthcoming drama. In the process he raises our expectations so much that he and his team will have to live up to it. We wish them all the best and look forward to the team's performance matching the promise.
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