The annual car/chariot festival of the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore was held on Sunday, with thousands of devotees and eager visitors witnessing the majestic car making its way through the mada streets.
The Arubathimoovar festival, on day eight of the 10-day-long Panguni Peruvizha or annual Brahmotsavam, when idols of 63 Shaivite Nayanmars will be brought out in procession, will be held on Monday, for which traffic changes have been made in the area. This draws the biggest crowd during the Peruvizha that concludes with the Thirukalyanam. The festival is a busy time for residents of Mylapore, who come together to celebrate it with great gusto. Hundreds of pavement shops selling toys, beads, artificial jewellery and ceramic ware have come up around the temple tank. Food and water was served on Sunday to visitors along the route of the car.
“I have watched the festival for at least 35 years now and the crowds are only getting bigger,” said R. Mallikarjun, proprietor, Mangalore Modern Jewellery.