Thousands witness Thai Poosam car procession of Sri Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple held at Periyanayaki Amman Temple, popularly known as Oor Kovil, here on Wednesday morning.
The idols of the God and the Goddesses — Lord Muthukumaraswamy and Goddesses Valli and Deivanai — were brought to the Shanmuga river for a holy dip in the early hours. Amid chanting of hymns, the idols were given a ritualistic bath in the river and taken back to the temple.
After special pujas to the main deities and the utsavamurthis, the aesthetically decorated idols were mounted on the car at an auspicious time. Initially, Gurukkals performed pujas to Lord Vinayagar and Veerabahu.
Later, they performed pujas and aradhanas to the temple car and the utsavamurthis on the temple car. Meanwhile, devotees started thronging Sri Periyanayaki Amman Temple.
With “Arohara” renting the air, devotees drew the holy car along the four car streets. As the temple elephant has gone for the rejuvenation camp, the temple administration roped in volunteers to pull the holy car from its base.
Devotees too joined the volunteers to pull the car. Buttermilk, water and free food were offered to pilgrims on the four rath streets and on the road leading to the hill temple.
The car procession took place in the morning instead of the regular evening time, owing to lunar eclipse. The Nadai of the temple was closed around 1.30 p.m.
The celestial wedding took place in the temple on Tuesday evening. The 10-day festival, which commenced on January 25, would conclude with the float festival on February 3.
Meanwhile, pilgrims were waiting in long queues for darshan in the hill temple. Tight security was provided at the Periyanayaki Amman Temple, hill temple, Sri Padhavainayar Temple and places of public congregation in the town.
More than 200 buses were operated to the temple town from various places to transport pilgrims.
