Sri Swamigal conducted Thirumanjanam to Sri Srinivasa Perumal.

Bhuvan, student of our Yajur Veda Patashala, chanted the Upanishad, Purushasuktham and Narayanasuktham.

Ms. Sangeetha then read from the Bhagavatham:

"Tham Adbhutham Balakam Ambhujekshanam..."

that describes the 'avatar'(birth of Lord Krishna) and,

"Avatheerna Jayathi" from Govinda Shatakam.

Sri Swamigal, then, placed the 'Divya Naama' Krishnan in the hall in front of 'Perumal Sannidhi'. The ladies - Ms. Jayanthi, Pundarika, Janaka, Mathura, Kanchana Sankaran, Pattu, Gomathi, Komala, conducted 'Divya Naamam'. With Sri Swamigal giving them the lead they began with,

'Ye Hi Gopala Sri Vanamaala' then went on to 'Sarva Sulabha' , 'Nanda Kumaranai'. They played kolattam singing 'Kaka Koki Keki Hamsa', 'Duhina Kirana Shitale', 'Devaadi Devar Pughazh'. With 'Mangalam' Divya Naama Krishnan returned to the Sannidhi.

Evening - Madhurapuri Ashram

5.00 p.m. - The Utsavam took off with 'Sampradaya Bhajan' by Sumanth Bhagavathar.

7.30 p.m. - 'Purapaadu' (procession) of Madhuri Sakhi-Premika Varadan was taken in Hamsa Vahanam, for about a kilometre southwestwards. Four young men carried the Palanquin. A big colourful traditional umbrella, a blue coloured silver fringed umbrella, an intricately designed silver umbrella, two 'Tiruchinnams' accompanied Madhuri Sakhi - Premika Varadan while two young men fanned Madhuri Sakhi - Premika Varadan with decorative 'chaamarams'.

Naamas were chanted and Naamavali sung. On the way back, when the party stopped for a while, the chanting of 'GOVINDA GOVINDA' gathered momentum and Sri Swamigal went into 'Bhava'. He danced around in circle, hands thrown up, chanting 'Govinda! Govinda!' loudly; His hair fell off the knot and covered His broad shoulders. The devotees spread out giving room for Him to dance around freely. Eyes closed, He swirled around for about fifteen minutes. Even while enjoying the 'Bhava' of Sri Swamigal the devotees were deeply worried lest He should have a fall or hurt His soft Lotus Feet on the tar road. It was all, however, over in about fifteen minutes.

When Sri Swamigal returned to normal plane He instructed the 'Uriadi', by the local youths to commence at the ashram entrance. ('Uriadi' is a rural game in which a treasure - usually some cash - placed in dry coconut tree bark is tied to a rope which is passed through a pulley fixed on a horizontal pole at about 20 feet. While this treasure is lowered and pulled back to its height another tries to hit it with a stick against all odds - about half a dozen youths continuously keep splashing water on him from all directions). Sri Swamigal watched the show for about half-an-hour.

'Aarthi' was then taken for Sri Swamigal and Madhuri Sakhi - Premika Varadan as they entered the Ashram.

10.00 p.m. - Sri Swamigal conducted Thirumanjanam to Madhuri Sakhi - Premika Varadan while Divya Naamam was being conducted by the Bhagavathars.

Nandotsavam:

11.50 p.m - Thirumanjanam over, Sri Swamigal requested Mullaivasal Krishnamoorthy Sastrigal to do the Paarayanam (reading) of the 10th canto of Srimad Bhagavatham which describes the life of Lord Krishna. During the 3rd adhyaayam wherein Baby Krishna is born, 'Beeja Dhaana'(distributing rice grains) was given to all along with a 5 rupee coin. This is part of a celebration of the birth of a child. Thus began 'Nandotsavam'(which is in fact the emulation of that done by Nanda Gopa, Krishna's father, to celebrate the birth of Krishna in Gokulam). Sri Swamigal, then dressed himself like Nanda, the cowherd king, with a grand turban and a silk angavastra and laid Nandakishore (as Sri Swamigal calls baby Krishna's idol) in a colourfully decorated cradle.

Srimad Bhagavatham describes the scene of Lord Krishna's birth -

On receiving the news of the arrival (birth) of the divine child the gopis in sheer joy decked with ornaments, colourful attires, flower garlands around their necks and hands filled with gifts for Him who was their everything, rushed to Nandababa's palace. Their joy knew no bounds when their eyes rested on Him. They sprinkled water mixed with turmeric, yogurt, milk and clarified butter on the divine child, that was going to occupy their minds and time, and others. The gopis' gaiety caught on to the gopas who sprayed yogurt, milk, and butter back on the gopis and others.

As in the Gokulam of yonder days innumerable pots filled with curd, butter, milk, sandal and turmeric powder, hung from the ceiling. Sri Swamigal broke down a few of these with a long decorated pole. The young jubilant male devotees acted the part of the 'gopas' to perfection by breaking the rest of the pots! The whole place was strewn with broken pots and the smell of curd and butter permeated the whole atmosphere.

The devotees were all drenched with milk,curd, butter and joy! In such a jubilant atmosphere, the ladies danced around Nandakishore singing, 'Devaadi Devar Pugazh' (a kummi song), 'Vishamakkara Kannan' (describing young Krishna's pranks), 'Vanna Maadangal' (the paasuram of Periyaazhvar which vividly describes the exuberance and joy of the gopis and gopas on the birth of Krishna) and the 'Pallandu' of Periyazhvar to bless the Lord Himself as the gopis had.

1.30 a.m. - Dolotsavam

Devotees sang 'Achanchala Bhakthim Dehi Thava Charane'.