A day at Mokshapuri_ Kanchipuram

My vacation has just begun today and it began with a blast.. with a trip to Kanchipuram..

I had always wanted to visit Devi Kamakshi for a long time.. and my prayers were answered today... My friend agreed to take me to Kanchipuram as she visits the Sri Matham every Thursday... It seemed as if we carried a tinge of luck with us everywhere.. We were able to catch a bus on time... and entering the Matham, Usha Akka ( my friend) started arranging the vegetables she had brought to offer to Bala Periyava... Bala Periyava was late today, and hadn't showed up at the doorstep of his room... Usha Akka asked me to wait with a Karpoora Arathi in hand, to be shown to Periyava's padam, once he appeared... And suddenly the doors opened, and Periyava stood there, beckoning everyone there to come in... We placed the tray of vegetables near Periyava's padam and offered our prostrations.. The Mehta Family had come to get an audience with Periyava, so they were attended first.. after a short wait, we were let in..
I was seeing Periyava the first time in 12 years.. and he asked " Idhu Yaaru?" Usha Akka told Periyava's attendants, " She lives near my place and has got SriVidya Upadesam from Narayana Sastrigal".. Periyava listened to this and asked "who?", I was shaking from head to toe.. and in a meek voice i answered " Pinaiyur Narayana Sastrigal, Periyava".. He told " Yaaru, Ponaiyur aa".. I replied in affirmation.. He asked details about my family, my gothram, my kula deivam and my native place... I told him everything and then he nodded his head.. I told him that my grandmother and my aunt have got purna deeksha from Pinaiyur Periyava.. He exclaimed "Oh!" and offered me his blessings and prasadam ( kunkumam n Akshatani)... and then after prostrations once more, we set off for the Kamakshi Amman Koil..

Luck seemed to follow us here too... We immediately went to the Sannidhi.. i got the opportunity to sing before Amba.. And that was the finest singing experience in my life.. Amba was adorned with a blue/green saree with Yellow border and fresh garlands of Jasmine and Rose.. She smiled as if welcoming a long lost child returning home... I had an intution as if She were telling me " Ah! You are here at last!"... Babu Sastrigal graciously performed our Archana...and as prasadam got a piece of cloth with kunkumam.. Usha Akka was surprised beyond limit.. she kept telling " Not everyone gets a blouse piece as prasadam...I didn't expect this to happen"..

After offering our prayers.. we raced off once more to the Math, to see Periyava do the Chandramouleeswara Puja... and we bought a few watery coconuts to offer it to Periyava.... A few of them were given for the Chandramouleeswara Puja, a few to Mahaperiyava's Brindavanam, and the remaining for Bala Periyava...

I got the opportunity to see Bala Periyava doing the Puja and even the opportunity to sing while the Puja went on.. Usha Akka later told me that Periyava was looking at me once or twice while I sang.While the curtains were down half way through the Puja, we raced off to Mahaperiyava's Brindavanam to do pradakshina.I should say I could very well feel the presence of Mahaperiyava there.I also had the opportunity to look into Mahaperiyava's photos hung all alongside the Birla Mandapam and felt the importance of the legacy and heritage which Mahaperiyava has passed on to all of us.

And after the Puja was over, we met Periyava at the entrance to the Puja Mandapam and offered to him the prasadam from Kamakshi Amman Temple.. He stood by as if to say something but after a few glances, went away to the Adhistanam..
After he finished giving the Theertha Prasadam at the Adhishtanam, he came back towards his quarters, when i offered him the coconuts , he blessed us.. and then after prostration i told him " Uttharavu Vaangikkaren Periyava".. He told " Aagattum"....

We got Chandramouleeswara Puja Prasadam and the Prasadam from the Brindavanam and raced out of the Math to catch a bus back home.. We are surprised as to how, we were favoured by such luck.. A surprising prasadam from Amba and lots of Anugrham from Periyava... And as we talked about it, we realised we had to get off the bus... The best of all vacations in my lifetime was over!! And wasn't that awesome?? :D