 Even though it has been an annual
feature for several years now, the enthusiasm of the devotees never dampens when it comes
to witnessing the Arupathu Moovar (63 saints) festival at Kapaleeswarar temple at
Mylapore. Several thousands of them throng the four Mada Streets around the temple, hours
before to get a vantage position to have a glimpse of the precession. Traffic normally
gets diverted to manage the surging people. This year, the festival was celebrated on 18th
March, on the 8th day of the annual Brahmotsavam.
Arupathu Moovar festival is celebrated in many Siva temples in Tamil
Nadu, but it is very popular here at Mylapore. There is a special significance for that.
The temple at Mylapore is so ancient that it has been mentioned by even the Greek
Geographer (A.D.90-168 Ptolemy in his books as ‘ Mailllarpha’. The Saivite
Saints (Nayanars) of the 7th Century, Saint Sambandar and Saint Appar (Thirunavukkarasar),
have sung about this shrine in their hymns. The present temple was rebuilt 300 years ago.
The special significance for the festival of Arupathu Moovar celebrated with religious
fervor, at Mylapore, is related to a legend.
 Once Saint Thirugnanasambandar (Sambandar) was in Chennai to worship
the Lord at various Siva temples around this place. Sivanesan, a merchant who lived in
Mylapore, wished to give in marriage his daughter Poompaavai to Sambandar. But when
Sambandar was about to visit his place, Poompaavai died, bitten by a snake. Hiding his
sorrow, Sivanesan prepared himself to welcome Sambandar. When Samabandar came to know
about the death of the girl he did a miracle. When he smeared the holi waters of the
temple tank on the ashes and the bones of Poompaavai (which Sivanesan was still
preserving), the girl woke up alive. Immediately, Sambandar sung a hymn in praise of Lord
Kapaleeswarar and he had also mentioned about this incident. It was also the annual
festival season at the temple, when Sambandar visited it. On the same day it is believed
that Lord Kapaleeswarar appeared before his ardent devotees - the 63 Nayanmars. From that
day onwards, it is celebrated as the day of these Saints during the Brahmotsavam. The
annual Utsavam is so arranged, that the 10th day would be The Thirukalyanam - the Divine
Wedding of Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal - on the Panguni Uthiram day.
 On the day of Arupathu Moovar, towards sunset, all the 63 Saints, in
separate decorated mini-palanquins would be given special 'arati' in front of the Lord at
the eastern entrance of the temple before the procession begins. Lord Kapaleeswarar with
the Goddess and the 63 Nayanars would go in a long procession around the four Mada
Streets. This year it took four-and a half-hours for the procession which started around
6.30 p.m. to get back. Besides the religious aspect, the occasion also gives an
opportunity for some philanthropists to set up a Thanneer Pandal to quench the thirst of
the surging devotees. As many would know, the name Mylapore is derived from the legend
that Goddess Uma worshipped Siva in the form of a peacock (mayil in Tamil). We can see a
representation of this legend, in stone in a small shrine under a Punnai tree, in the
courtyard of the temple.
Another important festival that falls on the 10th day of
Brahmotsavam is Panguni Uthiram. It is important not only here, but in all the Siva
temples. It is celebrated with religious importance in Ranganathar temples too in Tamil
Nadu. Andal (Kothai Nachiar) an ardent worshipper of Lord Ranganathar who fell in love
with Him, got married to the Lord on Panguni Uthiram day, it is believed. In the month of
Panguni (mid- March) when the star Uthiram is in conjunction with the moon, the day is
considered to be auspicious because it also happened to be the day of wedding of our
deities. So, it is believed that girls and boys will be blessed with good spouses if they
observe Vrath (obeisance) on this day. Observing fast during the day, and after a good
dharshan at the temple, of the wedding of the Gods, one can break the fast. This is still
in vogue in some families.
 In the temples, the wedding of the Gods takes place with all the
rituals of a wedding followed meticulously. In the Kapaleeswarar temple, one would have
witnessed the Lord sitting majestically ( because he was going to marry a beautiful
Karpagambal) with pride writ on his face - on the 20th of this month. The coy bride
Karpagambal in her green wedding sari, bedecked with fragrant flowers and beautiful
ornaments sat quietly through the wedding ceremonies. The Sivachariars carried out the
wedding rituals including exchange of maalai, poriyiduthal and Maangalya Dharanam with all
precision. In the same way the wedding of Andal and Ranganathar would take place in Sri
Rangam and Sri Villiputhur on this day. Centuries will pass by. But, these religious
festivals will stand a constant reminder of our traditions, customs and beliefs.
R. Bharathi |
