Author: Staff Reporter
Publication: The Hindu
Date: February 9, 2009
URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/02/09/stories/2009020950530200.htm
They draw the holy car on the four car streets
in Palani
Thousands of devotees witnessed the Thai Poosam
holy car procession of Sri Periyanayaki Amman Temple here on Sunday evening.
The god and goddess reached Shanmuga River
for a holy dip in the early hours of the day. Amid chanting of hymns, Lord
Muthukumaraswamy and goddesses Sri Valli and Sri Deivanai were given a ritualistic
bath in the river and taken back to the temple to inspect the holy car.
Meanwhile, the temple staff decorated the
car with multi-coloured clothes, flowers and festoons. After special pujas,
the aesthetically decorated god and goddesses were mounted on the car at an
auspicious time at noon. Special pujas and aradhanas were performed to the
deities on the rath also.
With 'Arohara' slogan renting the air, devotees
drew the holy car on the four car streets. The temple elephant too pushed
the car. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister K.R. Peria Karuppan
and Revenue Minister A. Periasamy, along with temple board members and officials,
participated.
Adequate police force was deployed at the
temple area. Superintendent of Police A. Pari camped in Palani and monitored
the security arrangements. Earlier, traffic was closed, power supply snapped
and electric cables crisscrossing rath streets removed by Tamil Nadu Electricity
Board staff before commencement of the procession.
The celestial wedding took place in the temple
between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday. The 10-day festival will conclude with
'Theppa Ther' (float festival) on Wednesday. The temple town wore a festive
look as several devotees danced with 'kavadis' and others played percussion
instruments.
