A festive mood prevailed across Mylapore on April 2, as numerous devotees thronged the Sri Kapaleeswarar temple to participate in the Arupathu Moovar vizha , the culmination of the 10-day panguni peruvizha . It was on this day that all the 63 nayanmars were taken out on ‘ veedhi ula ’ (procession). Even people from neighbouring districts participated in the age-old event.
Poojas, aarthis , alankarams , chanting of Vedas and the procession of deities on temple cars, marked the festival. On all the days, the idols of Vinayagar, Karpagambal, Subramanya, Kapaleeshwarar and Chandikeshwarar were taken out on different vahanas in a procession around the madaveethis. It was time not only for devotion, but also for shopping. People from nearby towns and villages displayed various handmade products to be sold at the festival. The commercial activity added to the lustre. There were 'rangaraatinam ' (giant wheel) beckoning children. Earthern pots were stacked up for sale. Gypsies were selling ‘paasimani maalai’.
Mehandi stalls were put up for little girls to have their hands decorated. Free buttermilk, panagam , fruits, variety rice, cucumber and water were offered. Traders from the outskirts of Chennai were selling dried palm leaves to be used as hand fans.
The fair also offered colourful toys for children. Devotees had to squeeze themselves in, amidst the traders, volunteers and the police, to have the darshan of the nayanmars . Women were dressed up in traditional attires. The scent of fresh flowers and the recital of mantras and Vedas pierced the air at the Mada streets. At a few places, people were vying with each other to get asirvadam from the priests who were seated on the car. There were people swaying the palm fans for air. Throughout the procession prasadams such as kumkum and vibhuthi were distributed. The procession moved at a slow pace and the devotees were jostling for space. Some devotees, who had strategically positioned themselves on balconies and terraces, managed to get a clear view of the procession.
Thulasiram, one of the old-timers of Madaveethi , said, “Our family is fortunate to witness the chariot moving, inch by inch, from the comfort of our home.” From the terraces, a few residents were kind enough to sprinkle water on devotees so as to help them beat the heat.
