#Azhwarkadian Nambi

[thereader-radhika]

Meenakshi Thirukalyanam

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"Aiyyo, aiyyo, Enperumane, my daughter has become a lunatic and my son started to worship Chudalamadan! It's his luck that my esteemed husband joined your lotus feet before he had to witness any of this. I should have joined him in his pyre."

Amma has been crying since morning. Nandini and Thirumalai tried to console her but she wasn't having any of it. Nandini declaring that she is married to Kannan like Andal was the first shock. Some of her neighbours murmured that the girl is mad. Some said that they always knew that Nandini had divinity within her. Akka quietly left last week, knowing that trying to force Nandini will be a futile attempt. 

When annan said that he is going on a pilgrimage and invited her to join him, she was ecstatic. They planned to send amma to akka's home. Akka, athimber, periyappa and periyamma will be happy, a change of place will be good for Amma and Nandini won't have to deal with the prying glance of neighbours.

Though Amma was apprehensive about sending her unmarried grown up girl to wander around, she too thought that it is a good arrangement as she knew that Nandini could be stubborn when she wanted. But all plans fell apart when Annan declared that they are going to witness Meenakshi Kalyanam at Madurai.

"Amma, is it wrong to attend the marriage festivities of Alagar's sister?"

"Shut up! Why do you want to go when Alagar wasn't welcomed? By this rate, you two will be covered in chambal when you come back".

"I am already married to Kannan. So Madurai Meenakshi is my sister-in-law. Isn't it, anna?"

"Yes, yes. We all are family".

Frankly, Nandini too was astonished by Annan's initiative to attend the Saivite festival. She was reminded of a princess who would have been her sister-in-law in another life. A fierce princess with long eyes like Madurai Meenakshi. She felt uneasy. "Amma, I am going to check in on Gnanam akka's sister. She is down with fever", she didn't wait to hear their reply.

When she returned, Nandini overheard Amma scolding Annan for taking Nandini to a marriage festival. But annan reassured her that he always knew that Nandini is the next Andal and all this has been a divine coincidence. Also what if this visit turns out to be auspicious and she decides to get married?

"Do you men have any sense, idiot?", she placed her hands on her ears and closed her eyes. "Thirumalai, take me to your sister's home. I don't want to see or hear any of this. My poor child!".

•---------------•

The streets of Madurai reminded her of Pazhayarai. She saw people selling flowers, sandalwood, incense sticks, coconuts, betel leaves, camphor, bananas, ghee, etc. They first went to Pazhayarai on a Margazhi tiruvizha. Why are her eyes welling up? It is this heat and dust. She got used to the serenity of their village.

Annan waved at Pasupati Bhattar, their distant cousin. Nandini has never heard of this cousin. But then, they went to the Chola country when she was pretty small. Bhattar's wife Sivagami and two little sons instantly took a liking to Nandini. The boys reminded her of Ponniyin Selvan and kutti sithappan. Stop. Won't she get a respite from these thoughts, ever? Watch the festival.

They went to Bhattar's home after witnessing the festivities. Annan and Bhattar went out with their friends and Nandini visited the temple with Sivagami and the boys. She remembered the story of Sembiyan Madevi. She too was totally enamoured with Parameswaran when Kandarathithar met her and married her. These ladies dedicated themselves to Parameshwaran and he made sure that they'd have a good life.

Is her misfortune a punishment for loving a man more than Perumal? Will she ever get salvation from this misery? If Meenakshi was the daughter of a poor priest instead of the Pandya King Malayadhwajan, would Sundareshan have come down from Kailasam to marry her? 

Nandini insisted that they should visit the Meenakshi temple again before returning. But annan didn't show any interest. What happened to him? Why did he come all the way to Madurai if he didn't want to pray to the goddess? Pasupati Bhattar whispered something in his ears. Nandini saw his expression changing from amusement to determination. He told her that they'd stay there one more day and visit the temple on the next day.

•---------------• Nandini felt an inexplicable happiness after spending sometime inside the temple complex. Why doesn't Annan too come inside? Hasn't he come all the way to Madurai? Annan asked her to meet him near the entrance exactly after 40 vinazhigai. If he doesn't come back after 50 vinazhigai, hire a bullock cart and go to Pasupati's home. He had given her a few coins and a palm leaf with directions.

He saw one of his old friends, it seems. If that Vaishnavite too is visiting the Meenakshi Kovil, what's the problem? Nandini didn't understand. But annan disappeared into the crowd. Suddenly she heard blows of conch shells and beating of drums. A small procession with the royal fish standard approached the temple.

"The Fierce Warrior, the Bravest of the Brave, the vanquisher of the Chola Army, the one who took the head of  Kodumbaloor Bhooti Parakrama Kesari, the sword and shield of Veera Pandyan who took the head of the Cholan, the leader of the Thennavan Apattudavigal, Ravidasan Panchavan Brahmadhirajan is arriving. Make way, make way." Isn't Parakraman the chieftain Sundara Cholan sent to Lanka? Did he too die? Nandini saw a very majestic men alighting from an elephant. He had long hair which was tied into a neat bun and handlebar moustache. He was wearing gold and pearl ornaments, white veshti with golden trimmings and a blue shawl with intricate golden patterns of some beautiful fish. This must be Ravidasan. Some temple authorities welcomed him and he prostrated on the ground when he entered the royal complex. Isn't he an enemy of Cholas? Will he harm Aditha Karikalan in battle, like he took the he...? Nandini felt like life left her body. No, such inauspicious things can't and won't happen. She is just overthinking. Suddenly someone grabbed Nandini's hands and ran. She panicked but it was only Thirumalai annan.

"Did your friend see you, Anna?"

"No, kanne. My luck."

"You both are Kalla Vaishnavites".

"Maybe, wasn't our Ambadikannan too a kallan?", both giggled. She saw annan giving two palm leaves to someone. "Love letters for my girlfriends", he winked. She knew that he was joking. If he wanted to tell her, he would have told her already. What is he really doing?

Meenakshi Thirukalyanam - An annual wedding celebration in the city of Madurai. As per the legend, Meenakshi, an avatar of Parvati, was the daughter of  Malayadhwaja Pandian and Kanchanamala. Meenakshi conquers the whole world and falls in love with Siva. Siva comes down to Madurai as Sundaresan and marries Meenakshi. Lord Vishnu in the form of Alagar is considered the brother of Meenakshi. Sundaresan gives him the wrong date. He gives the gifts he brought to the couple but goes back without entering the Madurai city. Earlier, Meenakshi Kalyanam and Azhagar Tiruvila were conducted seperately but they were combined into one festival during the reign of Tirumala Nayakas in 17th c.

Enperumane - My Supreme Lord Chudalamadan - One who lives in graveyards, an aspect of Lord Siva Chambal- Ashes Alagar - Vishnu, Sundareshan- Siva. Both mean "handsome one".

Author's note: I wanted to introduce Pandyas as the royal people they were. In the novel they are insane wandering barbarians. I am just showing that they have seen better days.

Pandya kingdom is very ancient, mentioned even in Mahabharata. It was a centre of arts, crafts and learning. The kingdom was very prosperous too. Pearls of Pandya country were world famous, that's why Ravidasan is wearing a lot of pearls.