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In Pictures: Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar ‘Vettai Thiruvizha’ - Animal Pilgrimage

March 26th, 2008

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam began with hoisting of the Nanthi flag on March 12th 2008 during the Tamil month of March (Panguni). The festival was held for ten days. Special poojas were held in the morning and afternoon during the festival. The temple was decorated with Kolam, thoranam and flower garlands.

Miruga Yaththirai or Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage) was held on the 8th day of the festival- March 19th 2008 at dusk. Colourfully decorated brass idol was carried by a divine vehicle of horse, which was carried by men on their shoulders.

The place where the Vettai Thiruvizha has taken place on Kizhakku Veethi was decorated with white loincloth, fresh vegetables such as brinjals, long beans, ash plantains bitter gourd and snake gourd along with mango leaves and thoranam. Men taken the idol thrice around the place on their shoulders while a small pooja was performed at the venue by the chief priest of the temple. Thavil and Nathaswaram were played throughout the festival.

The chief priest of the temple Balasunthara Kurukkal slowly began to cut the coir, on which the fresh vegetables were hung. Devotees clasped hands, prayed and chanted “Arogara”. Later the vegetables were wrapped in the loincloth and placed on top of the divine vehicle horse and taken around the temple primises. The priest tied a piece of silk on the foot of the horse to mark the success of the Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage). And Vermillion was placed on the forehead of the idol by the priest. At the end of the festival the devotees accompanied the idol back to the temple.

Front view of the Kopuram

Horse the divine vehicle for Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage) waits outside the temple

Venue for the Vettai Thiruvizha

Idol is being brought out of the temple

Miruga Yaththirai or animal pilgrimage is held on the eighth day during the annual festival

Final touch is given before the procession begins

Beautifully decorated idol is kept in front of the temple

Miruga Yatthirai is a rare occasion to witness at the temples in Colombo

It is one of the most colourful festivals held at this temple

Panchararththi is offered before the procession

Devotees thronged the temple to witness the rare festival

Idol is taken on procession on the Vadakku veethi of the temple

Idol is being brought to the venue

Chief priest Balasunthara Kurukkal perfoms pooja at the site

Idol is carried by the divine vehicle horse, and the horse is carried by male devotees

Devotees arrive at the site

The idol is welcomed at the site

Hunting for the vegetables begins

Animal Pilgrimage is held to chase away the ill evils

Thavil and Nathaswaram added the enchanting rhythm to the festival

The idol is taken on parade around the venue

Devotees witnessing the festival

A piece of silk is being tied on the foot of the horse by the chief priest to mark the success of the festival

Flower petals are sprinkled and the idol is worshiped

The idol is being accompanied back to the temple by the devotees

Camphor is offered to the idol

Variety of Kolam designs were drawn throughout the temple this day

Heavy wooden horse was carried by men for several hours on their shoulders

Waiting for the final ritual

Rajan Sharma offers Panchchararththi straight to Moolasthaanam from outside the temple at the main entrance

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Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com

Entry Filed under: Events, Heritage