Chennai: On Day 43 of Athi Varadar darshan today, the Lord looked resplendent in yellow silk robes, lined by a shining green zari border.
What adds beauty to the towering idol is the raja kreedam (regal crown) that adorns His head.
It is 43 days since the idol was taken out of the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple tank in June. The 48-day darshan began 1 July. Devotees were treated to the sayana thirukolam (reclining posture) of the Lord for the whole month.
From 1 August, the devotees and pilgrims have been worshipping him in ninra thirukolam (standing pose) and this will go on for another four days. There will be no darshan 17 August, the last day of the vaibhavam, after which the idol will be returned to the tank.
The next vaibhavam is 40 years away.
On the 12 day of ninra thirukolam darshan today, there was heavy rush of people. Buses were being halted near Walajabad, according to reports reaching here, to streamline the traffic coming into Kanchipuram and leaving the temple town.
Yesterday being Ekadasi and Sunday, about 3-4 lakh people had darshan of Lord Athi Varadar. It is believed there will not be any let up in the number of people coming to Kanchipuram for darshan today as it is a government holiday for Bakrid.
Photos /video: D Sundar