Poochatri Utsavam

In Srirangam, the "Poochati Festival," also known as "Kodai Thirunaal," is a sight to behold, with a delightful aroma filling the air. As the name suggests, this festival revolves around the decoration of the Lord with various beautiful and rare flowers. The first five days of the festival are known as "Veli Kodai," which signifies the onset of summer.

The festivities commence around 6:00 in the evening from the moolashtanam. Lord Ranganatha is taken through various sanctums, including "Naalaam Thiru Suthu," "Mela Pattabhiraman Sannidhi," and "Kodantha Ramar Sannidhi," before reaching Chandra Pushkarani and Keeza Pattabhiraman Ramar Sannadhi at the Naalu Kaal Mandapam.

As the Lord proceeds, he walks with a majestic gait, seemingly eager to escape the scorching summer heat and bathe in the cool waters of the pushkarani. The sight is breathtakingly beautiful, with the Lord's entire body adorned in red saffron (Kunguma poo) and his chest covered with a paste made of "Pachai Kalpuram," saffron (Kunguma poo), and sandalwood paste (Chandanam). The Lord is then dressed in a cloth soaked in Pachai Kalpuram water, which not only keeps Him cool but also fills the area with a pleasant aroma.

Furthermore, the Lord is adorned with high-class and rare flowers such as Parijatha poo, Kathir Pachai, and Vrikshi poo, along with offerings of Jasmine, "Nithya Mullai," "Jathi Mullai," and more from the devotees. The whole place becomes a symphony of fragrances.

Then, our Azagiya Manavalan is dressed in a customized Flower Blanket shawl, featuring flowers like Manoranjitham, Shenbagam, Nithya Mullai, Malligai, Magizhampoo, and is also sprinkled with pure Rosewater. The sight of the Lord bathed in the cool waters and adorned with the flower blanket is beyond compare. The Lord is then offered the delicious "Paanagam" along with Vada Paruppu (urad dal with traces of mango).

With the celebration's culmination, the Lord returns to the Moolasthanam with the same majestic walk. The first five days are called "Veli Kodai Thirunaal," followed by the next five days known as "Ull Kodai Thirunaal." During this period, Nam-perumal visits the Paviothrosava Mandapam, and Thiruvaradhanam (divine worship) is performed with Neivedhya (offerings), Theertha Goshti , and Theertha Sadari . The Lord then returns to the Moolasthanam, passing through the "Nazhikettan Vaasal" with the melodious Veenai Ekantham in Neelambari Ragam.

The Azagiyamanavalanin Nadai (majestic walk) is unmatched in its grandeur and beauty. Witnessing such divine sights in Srirangam is truly a blessing. It is said that once devotees see the form of Lord Arangathan, their eyes have fulfilled their purpose, and they no longer need their eyesight. However, given the captivating beauty and grace of Sri Ranganathan, devotees find it impossible to turn away from this divine sight. How can we give up our eyes once we have seen our Aranganthan's form, when we want to more and more of that divine sight?! Is it a fault of mine that his beauty and grace is so captivating? This is the irony that a devotee in srirangam would face, given he has the divine opportunity to see our Sri Ranganathan in all his grandeur in every festival throughout the year.

On this day, unlike everywhere else where Ramanavami is celebrated, in Srirangam, Ramanavami is observed during the Chithirai month, coinciding with the Chithirai Viruppan Thirunaal Brahmostsavam. The grandeur of these festivities makes it an unparalleled experience for all devotees in Srirangam.