The microcosm that forms the entourage

MADURAI

Lord Kallazhaghar’s journey from Alagakoil to Alwarpuram (the entry point into the Vaigai) is a Herculean task. The grandeur associated with His entry, however, is not just restricted to the work of officials from various departments.

With the help of ancient lore, people from adjoining villages become an essential microcosm of the Chithirai festival, each having a tale to tell.

A. Muthiah, for instance, has been pushing the mobile hundial alongside the Lord Kallazhagar for 20 years now. A daily wage worker in Nayakkanpatti, Mr. Muthiah first remembers walking with his father to Tallakulam at the age of eight. “In those days, we did not have push-carts with wheels. Temple hundials would be carried on bullock carts. Usually, four men from a family would be put in charge of each hundial in shifts. We continue the tradition. However, the push carts now move with the people and there are more hundials. There are 21 and we even have back-ups,” he says.

Fatigue does not affect S. Narayanan, who fans devotees tirelessly from 2 a.m. near Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple in Tallakulam to the mandapam in the Vaigai riverbed till 7 a.m. He gives quick respite to congested crowds standing close to the barricades. He says that people who fan the Gods are not paid by temple authorities. “We are dependent on the generosity of the masses that arrive at the festival. However, I make enough to feed my family and I am satisfied,” he says.

‘Seer padam,’ the activity that demands strength from the people who carry the deity on the golden horse and the palanquin is hereditary in nature. A total of 500 villagers from Melur taluk take turns to carry the deity. S. Karthi says that it is his first time. “My father and grandfather have bumps on their shoulder from carrying the God. I am honoured to carry on their tradition,” he says. Each of them vows to return next year too.