Puratasi 2025

The Tamil month of Puratasi is very special… it’s the month when Tirupati Balaji appeared on Earth and special prayers are offered to Maha Vishnu. The Brahmotsavam at Tirupati takes place during Puratasi. In Tamil Iyengar families, the Perumal Maavu Thiruvilakku is lit on any of the Saturdays, especially if you are unable to visit Tirupati and get Venkateshwara’s darshan. Festivals such as Navaratri and Dussehra also occur during the month of Puratasi. Ancestors are remembered and “Shrardh” is done during this month.

This year we are in Coimbatore during the Puratasi month, Sept 17 to Oct 17.

Tirupati Balaji Darshan

Bhagwan Venkateshwara gave us his darshan on Sept 22nd, this year… a day before Brahmotsavam started. It was very special as Nachi, Kousalya and Dhanush also joined us. We had a ring formation around Amma :):) and she was well protected from other devotees, some of whom are prone to pushing people in their eagerness to get HIS darshan.

Despite the amazing arrangements and the queue system at Tirumala, a fist fight broke out between two devotees just at the entrance to the temple. It was quickly taken care of and everyone calmed down, but it was a stark reminder of the fact that we remain our ignorant egoistic selves even in the presence of the divine.

We got the darshan of the “Utsava” murti (the murti that’s taken out for a procession) this time too, like last year. What a blessing !!

This is probably the first time in decades that we have got Balaji’s blessings during the month of Puratasi. Om Namo Venkatesaya !! Govinda Govinda 🙏🏿 The chants continue to reverberate …

Kousalya and I lit the Perumal Maavu Thiruvilakku together as a family this time… again, after decades. Puratasi 2025 has been special throughout.

Ashtamsa Varada Anjaneyar Temple, Peelamedu, Coimbatore

The alankaram at the Ashtamsa Varada Anjaneyar temple, Peelamedu is always special and unique. Every year, the first Saturday of Puratasi, Anjaneyar gives darshan surrounded by 10,008 vadais. The vada that’s made for Hanuman is different and it is fried in sesame oil (for Shani Dev) and made of urad Dal (for Rahu). Only Hanuman can help us ward off the effects of Shani Dev.

Do read my blogpost about the alankaram in this temple on Saturdays during Puratasi month – Celebrate Purattasi Saturdays at Peelamedu Anjaneyar Temple.

On Sept 21st (Sunday) we drove down to Tirupati from Coimbatore. Went to the Peelamedu Hanuman temple early in the morning to get his darshan and permission.

We returned to Coimbatore on Sept 28th (Sunday) and stopped on the way at the Peelamedu Anjaneyar temple to get his darshan. Second Saturday of Puratasi, Hanuman gave his darshan in SindooraKaapu alankaram.

When Hanuman found Ma Sita in Ashoka Vana, Lanka, he asked her about the “Sindoor” she had on her forehead. Ma Sita said, she wore the sindoor for the long life and protection of Bhagwan Rama. Immediately, Hanuman applied Sindoor all over himself, so that Bhagwan Rama will have a long life. That’s the true essence of Bhakti.

For me, the alankaram done on the 3rd Saturday of Puratasi, by Narayana Bhattar and his son Pavan was simply out of this world !!! Am sure Hanuman was the inspiration as always for them, but they are truly gifted. The pictures don’t do justice… you really need to see the alankaram in person to feel the energy. We had the good fortune of seeing it on Sunday.

The swing swayed back and forth and you almost felt as though Bhagwan Rama is really sitting on the swing, with a gentle smile on his face, enjoying Hanuman’s seva. 🙏🏿 . We are just grateful that we could witness this alankaram in person.

For the 4th Saturday Hanuman gave darshan as “Surya Prabha”. Well, as a child HE did try to eat up the Sun thinking it was a ripe fruit. Thanks to Indra we still have the Sun shining down on us and Hanuman is also around to laugh off the prank. Remember, Hanuman is Chiranjeevi, so he is right here amidst us.

Are you still looking at the 3rd Saturday alankaram ? Its wouldn’t be a surprise if you are … am still looking at that one. 🙂

Puratasi 2025 has truly been special. So happy that we could get Balaji’s darshan during this month and ofcourse so blessed to get Hanuman’s darshan in different forms.

Om Namo Venkatesaya. Jai Bajrang Bali.