Hundreds of devotees pulled the cars of Rockfort Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple as part of the annual Chithirai car festival on Wednesday.
The processional deities of Sri Thayumanaswamy and Sri Mattuvar Kuzhal Ammai were taken out in separate cars around the temple through the NSB Road, Nandikovil Street, North and East Andar streets, and the Malaivasal. Special pujas were performed before the car was pulled.
A large number of devotees offered worship to Sri Thayumanaswami and Sri Mattuvar Kuzhalammai on the occasion.
Legend has it that the presiding deity played midwife to his staunch devotee Rathinavathy, who went into labour while the Cauvery was on spate. Lord Shiva appeared before Rathinavathy as an aged woman. This episode was played out on Saturday and it was followed by the ‘thirukalyanam’ on Sunday.
The 15-day festival commenced on April 11 and the car festival marks its 10th day rituals. At about 5.45 a.m. in the Meshalagnam, devotees pulled the car amidst religious fervour through the streets around the temple.
