A large number of devotees from different parts of the State participated in the annual Chithirai car festival of Sri Sarangapani Temple here on Tuesday morning.
Sri Sarangapani Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Lord Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 Alwars. This temple is along river Cauvery and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.
The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire and Madurai Nayaks. The rajagopuram (the main gateway) has eleven tiers.
The temple chariot festival is the most prominent festival of the temple, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai (March–April). The temple chariot is one of the biggest in the state.
The Chithirai festival commenced at the temple with flag hoisting on May 5 and the car festival fell on the ninth day. After the processional deity of Sri along with Uabayanachiars were brought to the temple car when the religious rituals performed. Later the devotees pulled the temple car.
The police had made elaborate security arrangements in connection with the festival.
