Amidst a huge gathering of devotees at Kulasekarapattinam beach, ‘Soorasamharam,’ a significant event of the Dussera festival, symbolising the victory of good over evil was performed on Thursday midnight. The ten-day Dussera festival, which concluded on Thursday night, was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety.
A large number of devotees from across the country thronged the Mutharamman Temple at Kulasekarapattinam, a pilgrimage town in Tuticorin district, and offered special prayers.
Next to Mysore, Kulasekarapattinam assumes importance for Dussera celebrations in a grand manner. Goddess Mutharamman was taken in a procession on ‘Simha Vahanam’ at 12 a.m. for the ‘samharam’ of the four demons, including Mahishasuran.
The festival commenced with flag hoisting on October 13. Special prayers were offered throughout the festival.
Earlier on Thursday, mahabishekam was performed at 11 p.m., followed by a special puja. Many devotees took part in the celebration dressed in colourful costumes as members of the Hindu pantheon in propitiation of their vows, on completion of their fast and danced to the drum beats.
During the festivities, devotees collected money from the public as offerings to the Goddess. Several men too clad in saris and other devotees including women took padayatra to Kulasekarapattinam dressed up in various outfits as part of the ritual seeking to fulfil their wishes.
Adequate police force led by Superintendent of Police Ashwin M. Kotnis had been deployed in the vicinity of the temple. Special bus services were operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation. But several devotees expressed concern over the poor roads leading to Kulasekarapattinam. The thick and heavy flow of vehicles at Kulasekarapattinam caused traffic chaos. Hence, many devotees sought better facilities, at least for the next year.
