Dos & Donts for the devotees for Darshan of Lord Athi Varadhar!
Posted on: 05/Aug/2019 2:18:45 PM
On the 34th day (Saturday, 3rd August) of the Lord Athi Varadhar Vaibhavam (festival), the deity of the Lord Athi Varadhar offered Darshan to the devotees adorned in c clothing with pink-coloured Zari and green coloured silk.
The 34th Day of the Vaibhav was the 2nd day with Lord Athi Varadhar offering Darshan in a standing posture to the devotees. The Darshan will now be in only standing posture till the conclusion of the Vaibhav on 17th August.
It is worth noting some aspects for the benefit of the devotees visiting Kanchipuram for the Darshan of Lord Athi Varadhar.
The system for having Darshan
Lakhs of devotees visit every day to have Darshan of Lord Athi Varadhar standing in the line of the General Darshan Queue.
Further, separate lines have been arranged for the senior citizens, pregnant women, and mothers with very young infants, and the differently-abled people. Wheel-chairs are readily available in plenty for the senior citizens/others who cannot walk.
Another arrangement is that by paying Rs. 500 in the mornings, the devotee can have the ‘Sahasranama Archanai Darshan’ and during the evenings, by paying Rs. 300, the devotees can have special Darshan. However, please note that this booking for special Darshans of Lord Athi Varadhar can be done only online. Note that the online bookings commence at 10.00 AM and 11.00 AM for the 2 Darshans respectively.
Thus, here is the facility by which the devotees can enter the special Darshan queues and have the Darshan of Lord Athi Varadhar. Still, please note that it will yet take a few hours to have the Darshan!
Do’s and Don’ts
Bring your own food and drinking water. This is a MUST.
Though ‘Annadhanam’ is served in the temple, it is better to carry food items such as biscuits, fruits, and others would be essential in order that the devotees do not get exhausted. Also, please note that the devotees must not observe any fasting (going without food) or observing any penance or ‘Vrath’s (appeals to God to do this for the requested special wish!) while in the queue.
Everyone is aware of the necessity to carry drinking water. Please carry at least a minimum of 1 litre of drinking water. The Police Department staff do offer drinking water to the at the equidistant spaces- so, if required, this can be obtained.
The devotees who reach by bus must leave their footwear somewhere near the bus itself. Note that if you leave the footwear near the temple, you may have to return to the bare-footed!
Remember to wear only loose-fitting clothing! Do not be driven by the thought that as visiting a temple, it might be better to wear silk clothing! Remember, one needs to join in a line of lakhs of devotees in the line – so, take care to wear only loose-fitting cotton clothes!
When entering the Sanctum Sanctorum through the Western Temple Tower entry, one has to encounter 22 hairpin bends! At the start of the point where the hair-pin bends commence and where they end, there are mobile toilets set up in 2 places. So, in case required, the devotees may use them! Even if you do not need, please note that, that once you cross these and keep moving, there would be no toilet facilities if needed! So, keep this in mind!
Points to be noted before Darshan of Lord Athi Varadhar
The devotees are allowed to have Darshan at the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Athi Varadhar through the entries at the Eastern and Western temple towers.
After the Darshan, the devotees` exit through the South temple tower.
The Eastern Temple Tower entry is located very near the bus stands and thus serves as easy and quick access for the bus passengers. So, there is always a teeming crowd level in the Eastern Temple Tower entry point.
Thus, entering the Sanctum Sanctorum via the Western Temple Tower entry may be the better option for the devotees who would like to avoid jostling crowds and hardships!
At the same time, it may also be noted that the various facilities such as fans, toilets, etc., are much better in the Western temple Tower entry route as compared to the Eastern Temple Tower Entry route.
Avoid excessive luggage! Why? Because it is only you who has to carry that! You cannot afford to keep side anywhere! Some of them carry 2 bags on either hand and thus rendered unable to fold their hands in prayer during the actual Darshan! Another option is to hang the luggage on the back!
Another point – remember to create some space-gap while standing/walking in the line. Note that you are entitled your own space once in the waiting line - the gap ensures some respite even when there is some jostling.
When visiting as a group of members for the Darshan of Lord Athi Varadhar, please do not assume that the other members in the group will take care of things – remember to note the details such as their cell phone numbers, the exact vehicle to get in, and other important details. Remember, it is rather tough as a task when going as a group and wishing a comfortable time as a group!
Once the Darshan of Lord Athi Varadhar is complete, you simply cannonot take off in the direction you want! There is a good infrastructure arrangement in this regard by the police department. You can exit only through the roads lying adjacent to the temple tower gates. This is around 2 km long. And it has to be walked. Those who can access an auto are to be deemed as lucky indeed!
Also, remember not to park your own vehicle in case you have travelled with your own vehicle. There might be traffic congestion and you may find it quite difficult to take the vehicle out through this congestion.
This leads to another important point – in case you have visited on your own vehicle or rented a separate vehicle for your visit, please ascertain where your vehicle is parked, its registration number and the cell phone number of the driver.
Apart from this, you need to be vigilant once you have got off the vehicle and note the number of turns taken on the left and the right was taken – it would be mighty useful while returning after Darshan!
Another aspect even though you might be well aware of it – ensure that you are in a cheerful and pleasant mood before, during, and after the Darshan of the Lord Athi Varadhar! Keeping the pleasant mood will help better focus on the main purpose, having a great and good Darshan of the Lord Athi Varadhar and not lose focus on this through other mental concerns!
A very important note
Once you have crossed all the hairpin bends on the way to Darshan, the crowd of devotees will be divided into 3 lines! Remember to join the 1st line even if the crowd level is more! Generally, the trend is to push the devotees to the middle line – but if you take care and manage, you can manoeuvre to join the 1st line! This is the best line where you can access the nearest point to see the deity of Lord Athi Varadhar! Remember, you can have access to join this 1st line even as the line moves near the Darshan point!
