Thousands of devotees pulled the sacred chariot of the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple) here on Friday. The event forms part of the annual Chitrai festival celebrated at the temple.
The devotees, chanting “Aroora, Tyagesa”, pulled the chariot through the main thoroughfares of the town. After more than 100 years, the State Government in 2015 had facilitated fabrication of a new chariot for the temple replacing the dilapidated old chariot.
Agriculture Minister R. Duraikannu, picked up the chariot reins and tugged at them to mark the inaugural of the event in which Thanjavur MLA M. Rengasamy, Superintendent of Police J. Mahesh, Senior Prince of Thanjavur Palace Bhabaji Raja Bhonsle, Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments C. Kumara Durai and others participated.
While the idols of Sri Tyagarajar and Sri Kamalmbal adorned the main big chariot, those of Sri Ganesa, Sri Subramanya, Sri Chandikeswara and Sri Neelotamman were taken in chariots that accompanied the main car during the procession.
The event commenced at 6-15 a.m. and after moving through the four main thoroughfares and halting at 14 important locations the chariot returned to the base just past noon.
A local holiday was declared on the occasion ad the district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival. Strong posse of police was posted to provide bandobust to the pilgrims.
Despite the police vigil, unidentified persons snatched gold chains weighing 20 sovereign from six women devotees who were pulling the temple car.
Cases have been registered and a search has been launched to nab the culprits.
