The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple wore a colourful and festive look on the occasion of the celestial wedding of Lord Sundareswarar with Goddess Meenakshi here on Wednesday.
Thousands of devotees thronged the Tiruppugazh Mandapam, the venue of the wedding, at the junction of West and North Aadi streets. A Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department official said about 15,000 people witnessed the grand event.
Lord Sundareswarar and Piriyavidai were brought to the Mandapam after a procession around the Chithirai streets by 9.15 a.m. They were followed by the bride, Goddess Meenakshi, dressed in lavish silk and bedecked with jewellery.
As hymns were chanted and pujas performed by priests, the devotees handed over their offerings to the deities. The offerings included dhotis, saris and fruits.
Lord Subramaniaswamy, the presiding deity of Tirupparankundram temple, and his consort Deivanai were “guests” at the celestial wedding. Lord Pavalakkanivai Perumal from Tirupparankundram was also present.
Palaas Bhattar and Anand Bhattar performed the holy rituals and exchanged garlands, representing Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar respectively. The nuptial knot was tied at 10.01 a.m.
As custom goes, thousands of women changed their mangalsutra, the sacred thread, as a mark of renewal of bonds. The stage was decorated with elaborate and aesthetic floral arrangements.
A large number of devotees could watch the proceedings outside the temple complex, thanks to LED screens on the four Chithirai streets. The ban on mobile phones meant that there was little disturbance by way of talk or clicking photos throughout the ceremony.
Air coolers, air-conditioners and fans were placed at the venue for the comfort of devotees. Pandals were also set up, but they were inadequate in some places. After the wedding, there was a rush to receive the packets of ‘prasadam’ from the temple.
Volunteers cleared garbage from the streets. Some others distributed a variety of food items. However, empty food packets and plastic water bottles could be seen strewn around the temple as there were very few dustbins.
The presiding deities were taken on a ‘Poo Pallaku’ around the Masi streets around 7 p.m. The car festival will take place at 6 a.m. on Thursday.
