Chithirai festival starts at Big Temple

Chithirai Peruvizha started at Big Temple in Thanjavur with flag hoisting on Sunday morning.

GALA OCCASION: Devotees attend the flag hoisting ceremony of Chithirai festival at Big Temple in Thanjavur on Sunday. Photo: B. Velankanni Raj

Chithirai Peruvizha started at Big Temple here with flag hoisting on Sunday morning.

The flag was taken out in procession through the four main streets and hoisted in the presence of Sivachariyars and S.Gnanasekaran, Assistant Commissioner, HR and CE. In the evening, idols of Vinayagar and Chandrasekar were taken out in procession.

Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, senior prince and hereditary trustee of palace Devasthanam, participated.

The festival will go on till April 24.

Important events are procession of idol of Sri Thyagaraja in the praharam and to Vasantha Mandapam; Yadasthana Pravesam by Thyagaraja on April 16; Rathotsavam on April 21; and Panchamoorthis procession on silver Rishapa Vahanas on April 24.

Samayapuram

The annual Chithirai Perunthivazha at Sri Mariamman Temple at Samayapuram commenced on Sunday with flag hoisting.

The event will go on till April 19 with the car festival scheduled for April 16 and the theppam on April 19.

A large number of devotees thronged the temple to offer worship.