Special abishekam and pujas were performed for the mammoth nandi seated in the mandapam in front of the Sri Brahadeeswarar at the Big Temple complex here on the Mattu Pongal day on Friday. Pujas were also offered to a herd of 108 cows on the occasion.
The nandi was decorated with fruits and vegetables offered by the devotees on Pongal Day. The nayak-period bull, matching the height of the Sri Brahadeeswarar at the sanctum sanctorum, was decorated by priests with offerings, including sweets. On Friday, priests offered special prayers as a mark of thanksgiving to the nandi and the deeparathanai was witnessed by thousands of devotees, including hundreds of foreign tourists. The offerings would be cooked and distributed to the devotees on Saturday.
It is estimated that more than five tonnes of fruits and vegetables were used in the special alankaram for the nandi .
A herd of 108 cows was aligned around the Nandi Mandapam for which people and priests offered go puja .
Thanjavur Mayor Savitri Gopal, Hereditary Trustee and Thanjavur Senior Prince Babajee Raja Bhonsle, and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Assistant Commissioner Ramani were present.
