Thousands thronged Alagarkoil’s Lord Sundararaja Perumal Temple near here for the car festival, the highlight of annual Aadi brahmotsavam, on Monday. The temple boulevard inside the fortress had a lengthy line of people who came from neighbouring villages and camped on the premises two days in advance.
The festival had an air of jubilation as several devotees chanted “Govinda” to greet the presiding deity.
The new temple car was led by a slew of young men who pulled the ropes and worked their way around the manual brake system. They cheered with each step as it showed progress. Devotees rushed to the flanks to get a feel of the majestic ‘ther’ with over 500 sculptures of sages and celestial beings.
“I am a village librarian at Thumbaipatti and have taken special permission to visit the temple on this auspicious day. It is a festival of joy. This is my third year and I hope I can touch the ther [car] this time at least,” said R. Badmavathi from Melur.
The temple is of special significance to several people. It is among the 108 Divya Desams or sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu.
It hosts two brahmotsavams- one during the Chitirai festival when the lord enters the Vaigai in Madurai as Kallazhagar. The other is during Aadi and culminates with the car festival on full moon day.
Shops fortified the temple. One could see young women sorting through piles of chains and earrings to find the perfect pair.Children often cried for snacks and savouries.