In Pictures: Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar ‘Vettai Thiruvizha’ - Animal Pilgrimage
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
1 comment March 26th, 2008