A large number of devotees witnessed the car festival of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple on the 11th day of the annual Chithirai brahmotsavam here on Friday morning.
The two massive temple cars, which had been decorated for the occasion, began their procession at 6.30 a.m. The devotees first got a glimpse of Lord Sundareswarar in the temple car followed by Goddess Meenakshi.
Thousands of devotees thronged Masi Streets where the procession took place and began assembling as early as 5.30 a.m.
Many were found on the rooftops of shops and commercial establishments to witness the event.
Ahead of the procession, the deities were brought to the temple cars by 5.45 a.m. and special pujas performed by priests.
According to the book The Great Temple of Madurai Meenaksi written by Valayapettai Ra. Krishnan, the temple cars were made by Vijay Ranga Chokkanadha Nayakkar, who was the grandson of Rani Mangammal.
The chariot of Lord Sundareswarar has Gods and Goddesses, ‘Yazhis’ as well as depictions of Lord Siva’s ‘tiruvilayadal’ (divine sport) are carved intricately with fine detailing in the temple cars.
This year, the temple officials said that they had used special tile coating to restore the temple cars and protect the intricate carvings on them from water seepage.
A large number of youths drew both the chariots and were encouraged by chants from the crowd of devotees as well as the temple officials who guided them.
A large number of police personnel had been deployed along the route of the procession to control the crowd.
According to the book The Great Temple of Madurai Meenaksi , the cars were made by Vijay Ranga Chokkanadha Nayakkar, who was the grandson of Rani Mangammal
