VEERAPANDI (THENI)
Thousands of devotees witnessed installation of ‘kambam’ (holy wooden pole) on the outer prakaram of Sri Gowmariamman Temple in the early hours of Wednesday as part of the annual Chithirai festival.
Devotees poured holy water, brought from Periyar river, on the pole as part of the ritual. Earlier, a team of local people and temple officials took the holy pole in a procession to the temple from Veerapandi. Amid chanting of holy hymns and beating of percussion instruments, the temple head pujari installed the pole at an auspicious time. Thousands of devotees took part in the procession, led by Kondalanaickar community people.
Local people will continue to pour water on the pole for the next 22 days. Goddess Gowmariamman had reached the temple on Tuesday night. Earlier, the deity was taken in a procession from the ancient temple in Veerapandi to the new temple on Theni-Kumuli Highway. The ‘karagam’ was also taken along with the deity.
The seven-day festival will commence on May 9. Holy car procession will take place on May 12 and the festival will conclude with Pongal festival to be organised by the local community.
Temple administration has made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of devotees. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation will operate additional buses to the temple from Dindigul and nearby districts. Veerapandi highway will be closed and all buses diverted through alternative routes during the festival. Vehicles will not be allowed to go through Veerapandi Bypass, which will be converted into parking lot.
Temple officials said the temple administration had taken third party insurance for 50 persons during the festival period and for 50 persons during the holy car procession.
