Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar chariot festival

2007-03-31T16:31:00.000-07:00

The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam began with hoisting of the "Nanthi" flag on March 23 rd 2007. Special poojas were held during the festival time. The temple was decorated with fresh flowers, mango leaves, "Thoranam" (young coconut leaves were plaited together by fingers) and "Kolam".

Devotees gathered at the temple in the morning and evening to participate in the special poojas and procession with the idols.

The chariot festival was held on March 31st in the morning with a large number of devotees participating. Sivakami Amman and Swarna Sabeswarar, Meenakshi amman, Pilliayar, Murugan and Valli Ammai, and Theivayanai Amman, and Sandeswarar were carried by the male devotees separately on their shoulders on procession on the inner route of the temple before proceeding to the chariots.

A chariot carried Sivakami Amman and Swarna Sabeswarar, another chariot carried Meenakshi Amman, and a small chariot carried Sandeswarar. Pilliayar, Murugan and Valli Ammai, and Theivayanai Amman were carried by the male devotees on their shoulders.

A lot female devotees carried a pot of burning camphor on their heads, while male devotees rolled themselves on the ground with upper bare bodies to fulfill their vows.

A special pooja was held inside the chariots after the chariot festival is over. All the idols were decorated in green.

2007-03-31T11:53:00.002-07:00

Swarna Sabeswarar with Sivakami Amman accompanied with Meeenakshi Amman on his left,Pillaiyar on his right and Murugan with Valli and Thievayanai on his left decorated with colourful fresh flowers are taken on a parade in Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam’s inner route on chariot day, Mar 31, 2007

2007-03-31T11:53:00.001-07:00

“Panchaaraaththi” is offered to the idols at the main entrance of Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam by the chief priest of the temple Sivasri Bala Kurukkal before leaving the premises

2007-03-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

Devotees worship the idols outside the temple

2007-03-31T11:51:00.002-07:00

Swarna Sabeswarar accomapnied by Sivakami Amman in a chariot

2007-03-31T11:51:00.001-07:00

Swarna Sabeswarar accompanied by Sivakami Amman leaving in chariot to bless the devotees

2007-03-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

Meenakshi Amman leaves in a separate chariot to bless the devotees

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Pillaiyar and Murugan accompanied by Valli and Theivayanai leave in front of the chariots

2007-03-31T11:49:00.001-07:00

Kids pull Sandeswarar’s chariot

2007-03-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

Heap of coconuts is kept for smashing

2007-03-31T11:47:00.004-07:00

Coconuts are smashed by the devotees

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“I am faced with some difficulties in life. I made a vow and I am fulfilling my vow today. I am carrying a clay pot of burning camphor on my head for the first time. I am confident that my difficulties will disappear soon ” says Suthanayagi Suntharamalai

2007-03-31T11:45:00.000-07:00

Auspicios instruments such as Thavil and Nadaswaram are being played on the outer route of the temple

2007-03-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Male devotees roll themselves on the ground to fulfill their vows

2007-03-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

All the idols are decorated in green after the chariot festival is over. The idols are taken back to the temple