Colourful festival of Sapparam at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“Sapparam”- the colourful festival was held at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam on March 19th. This particular festival takes place in the night at temples. The “Sapparam” is a lighted vehicle for the conveyance of the idol.
The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam began with hoisting of the “Nanthi” flag on March 12th 2008. Special poojas were held during the festival time. The temple was decorated with fresh flowers, mango leaves, and variety of “Kolam” designs.
All the idols were carried by men inside the temple, before the main idols of Sivakami Amman and Swarnasabeswarar were placed in Sapparam. The Sapparam was painted in gold, while lights were lit around it. It carried the main idol of Sivakami Amman and Swarnasabeswarar and pulled by the devotees. Men carried the other idols Pillaiyar, Murugan accompanied by Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Amman on their shoulders.
Devotees gathered at the temple in the morning and evening to participate in the special poojas and procession with the idols. Sapparam was held on the eighth day of the annual festival at night, after the animal pilgrimage. Sivakami Amman accompanied by Swarnasabeswarar, Pillaiyar, Murugan accompanied by Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Amman, and Sandeswarar were taken on a colourful procession on inner and outer routes of the temple.
[Slide Show of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Sapparam]
“Navathaaniyam”- nine grains are grown during the festival in front of the Yakasaalai
Enchanting parade inside the temple
Side view of the sculptures of the Kopuram
Beautifully decorated Sivakami Amman Sametha Swarna Sabeswarar at Vasantha Mandapam, where special poojas are held during the festival
Devotees flocked to the temple
Daily worship in Hinduism usually takes place in three different places such as in the home, in a temple, and at a street side shrine
Pooja is performed by the chief priest Baklasunthara Kurukkal in front of the Yakasaalai
Pillaiyar is being carried by men
These temple torches are called “Theevatti”. They are being carried in front of the processin. “Theevatti” is made of cotton cloth dipped in coconut oil.
Murugan with Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Ammai are being carried by men
Sivakami Amman Sametha Swarnasabeswarar are in procession in a Sapparam
Full moon in Kochchikade
A female devotee is carrying a clay pot of burning camphor
Kannan Sharma offers Panchchararththi
Sapparam is being pulled by the devotees
Rajan Sharma accompanies the idols in the Sapparam
Sapparam takes place on the previous day of the chariot festival
__________________________________________
Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com
2 comments March 29th, 2008