The annual “Aadi Tirukkalyanam” festival at Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple here began with flag hoisting ceremony on Monday.
Temple priests hoisted the flag near the Ambal Sannathi in the ‘Simha Lagnam,’ amid chanting of mantras, marking the commencement of the 17-day-long festival from July 17 to August 2 even as a large number of devotees reverently offered worship.
The newly appointed Joint Commissioner of the temple G. C. Mangayarkarasi, Assistant Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) Department A. Balakrishnan, temple staff and devotees attended the holy event.
A large number of pilgrims and devotees from various parts of the country were expected to visit the temple on July 23, the seventh day of the festival, on the occasion of Adi Amavasai.
Lord Ramanathaswamy would be taken in a procession in a golden chariot in the morning for ‘theerthavari’ and his consort and Goddess Parvathavarthini in a silver chariot in the evening. The Lord and Goddess would give darshan to the devotees.
Hundreds were expected to throng the Agnitheertham seashore on Aadi Amavasai for performing rites and rituals in memory of their forefathers.
The temple authorities have decided to make available basic facilities for the public and the district police have made elaborate security arrangements.
On the ninth day of the festival on July 25, Ambal would be taken in a procession around the temple car streets.
After the betrothal ceremony on the 11th day of the festival on July 27, ‘Tirukkalyanam’ the celestial wedding of Lord Ramanathaswamy with Goddess Parvathavarthini would take place on July 28.