‘Parivettai,’ which marks the end of the Navaratri festival of Bhagavathy Amman Temple, was held in Kanyakumari with religious fervour on Thursday. The Navaratri festival began on October 13 at the temple.
Thousands of people from across Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts and Kerala thronged Kanyakumari for the festival.
Half-an-hour before the highly decorated palanquin mounted with the idol of Bhagavathy Amman began its journey to Mahathanapuram for ‘Parivettai’ around 12 noon, ferry services to Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue were suspended by the Poompuhar Shipping Corporation.
After the idol of Bhagavathy reached Mahathanapuram, devotees brought portraits of the Goddess in three caparisoned elephants and hundreds of folk artistes presented cultural performances.
Buses from Nagercoil to Kanyakumari were diverted through Kottaram, Agastheeswaram and Kovalam to reach the new bus stand.
The idol procession was led by permanent trustees Subramania Pillai holding the fence and Kumaresan, the bow and arrow, for ‘Parivettai.’
After the traditional ‘Parivettai,’ the idol was taken back to the temple through the eastern gate for dharshan after an ‘Arattu’ near Triveni Sangamam.
All the buses plying from Tirunelveli via Anjugramam were operated up to Vivekananda Kendra.
The police had made elaborate security arrangements in and around Kanyakumari to prevent any untoward incident.
Police personnel from Kanyakumari, Anjugramam, South Tamarikulam, Eethamozi, Rajakkamangalam and Suchindrum were deployed for bandobust along with armed reserve police personnel and Home Guards.
The Fire and Rescue Services personnel were positioned along with fire tenders at important junctions to ensure smooth conduct of ‘Parivettai.’
Former Minister N. Thalavai Sundaram and Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Pon. Swaminathan participated in the event.
