Thousands throng Srirangam for Chithirai car festival

Devotees pulling the temple car of Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in the city on Friday. Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam

A large number of devotees offered worship to Namperumal and pulled the temple car on the occasion of Chithirai car festival at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on Friday.

Amidst religious fervour, devotees pulled the temple car about 6 a.m. The car rolled on through the Chithrai streets and was brought to rest at 10 a.m.

Earlier, Namperumal was brought from the ‘kannadi arai' about 3.45 a.m. and was taken to the Chithirai ther mandapam about half an hour later.

Namperumal was taken to the temple car in the ‘meena lagnam' between 4.30 a.m. and 5.15 a.m.

Arrangements

S. Jayaraman, joint commissioner and executive officer of the temple, supervised the arrangements for the festival.

The festival, known as ‘Viruppan tirunal', commenced on April 12 and the car festival marked the ninth day of the festival.