The grand Thirukalyanam takes place

The grand Thirukalyanam took place yesterday at around 8.45 p.m.

Hundreds of devotees gathered in and around the temple rushed near the decorated mandapam when the thali was tied around goddess Karpagambal 's neck.

Later, the flag was lowered. Today, Umamaheshwar dharshanam took place in the morning.

Padam parivizha, the final event of the festival was held this evening.

Seer Varisai for Thirukalyanam taken in a grand procession

This evening, the Seer -Varisai of goddess Karpagambal was taken to Sri Kapali Temple for Thirukalyanam in a grand procession.

The members of Thirumayilai Ulavara Thirupani Kulu Sangam carried them after a pooja at Chellapa Caterers's house in Pitchu Pillai Street, Mylapore.

They have been arranging the seer-varisai for ambal since the past 10 years.

It had a valaipoo (banana flower) kalasam."Usually, coconut is kept over the kalasam. But this is our silver jubilee year. So we thought we should do something different for ambal," says Sainath Prabhu, a member of the Sangam.

Killi jadai, Thirumangalyam, silver kolusu, metti, gold mookuthi, silver poonal for Sri Kapaleeswarar, sarees, blouse materials, alangaram items, varieties of garlands, flowers and fruits were among the seer-varisai given for goddess Karpagambal.

Around 3000 tamboola pai with coconut, banana, betel leaves and nuts, manja kairu (yellow thread),manjal and kumkumam were also present. "After thirukalyanam, these will be distributed to the devotees," he says.

Thirukalyanam took place today at around 8.45 p.m., after which an oonjal sevai took place for Sri Karpagambal and Sri Kapaleeswarar.

Later, after veedi ula a small pooja will take place at the Kodimaram and the kodi (flag) will be brought down by the priests.

Here is a short video of seer-varisai procession.

Videos of the Bhikshanadar ceremony held today evening

Here are two videos of the bhikshanadar ceremony held less than an hour ago. The videos were taken by Anitha Shivakumar, a resident of Abhiramapuram.

Bhikshadanar Vizha to be held today evening

The Bhikshadanar Vizha will be held today evening. This is the only festival in which Sri Kapaleeswarar will be taken in procession without the other deities.

It is believed that women who take bhiksha or beg for alms on this day will have their wishes fulfilled. The alms are then donated to the deity. 

Some great food, given free to people

But the well organised food serving centre was on 

The best organised food service to devotees operation was seen on Mathala Narayan Street - that street that links Kutchery Road and mada streets zone.

The houses where the Narayana Iyer family has resided has been sharing food and drink for over six decades.

His family members now carry on the tradition.

Serving breakfast since 8 a.m. and lunch and tiffin through the day, the family had arranged cooks to prepare food in the open early on Monday. The main cook of well known caterer of Chennai, Chellappa supervised the operations.

The volunteers had erected casuarina poles to create a queue system for the public and the orderly service made life easy for all.

As the nayanmars' procession moved into North Mada Street the queue for food here became lengthy – the evening menu had kesari, brinji, medhu pakoda, channa curry and even pani puri.

The negative side of this operation was of people flinging the leaf plates on the street side, adding to the waste that had mounted here.

Prayers for rain

On arubathumoovar procession after we spent some time perched near the Gandhi statue off the Chitrakulam to get some nice visuals shot on camera for our live relay on FB.

It is also a safer point than points off Rasi Store where the crowd is intense and thick.

Even as two sang hams kept offering delicious buttermilk to people and we had a glass or two, we overheard many women saying that their prayers were to ask for rain.

"We are in for a bad summer. There is no water," explained a woman who had bought some veggies before finding a place to wait for the procession. 

The others around her nodded in agreement.

"We are praying for water," chimed in one woman.

They must have offered that prayer as the gods followed the saints to the pandal close to us. 

Vaira Swami joins the Arubathimoovar procession

It is a little past 8.30 p.m. on March 18 and Vaira Swami from Chindratripet has just joined the Arubathimoovar procession. Decked in diamond jewels, he is always accompanied by several police personnel. 

The Mylapore tradition of feeding devotees

This is a Mylapore tradition. One that has been religiously followed by many families during the annual Panguni festival of Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai.
To provide food free to devotees at the temple for the grandest and most unique religious event here - the procession of the Saivite saints. 63 of them.
The arubathumoovar.

People stream in since the morning though the procession starts when the day is steaming at 3 p.m.
And many families spend the midnight hours cooking for the devotees. Some cook a few kilos; some huge amounts.
Pongal, kesari, sambhar/curd rice.

The Nataraja Iyer family on Mathala Narayana Street has been offerning annadhanam for decades - perhaps the past 60 years. What started small is now a big affair.

Two evenings ago, one of the grand man's sons ( Iyer had eight children ) invited me into one of the old, old tile-roofed houses to show me the bags of basmati rice, dhal, chillies, bottles of oil and baskets of spice powder were stocked.

Cooks would have started work on Sunday night ( the day of the procession of the grand chariot - thiruther ).
On Monday morning, people will be served pongal/kesari/pakoda and later, brinji/pakoda/chappatis and kurma. Cooks will spill on to the street side and carry on cooking till noon.

And thousands of devotees will be fed.

One hopes people respect the food; many eat parts and toss away the rest and then look for other food donors!

Old world Mylapore gets fossilised in these houses.

Ther starts rolling

Thiru Ther started rolling from this morning 7 a.m.

Hundreds of devotees gathered at the East Mada Street, Mylapore from where the procession started.

Students of Natyanjali followed the ther performing classical dance.

Here is a video of Ther making its way through East Mada Street.

It was the turn of the elephant today

The Yaanai vahanam procession held today night was a colourful one.

But what probably struck out was the way in which the Sri Padam volunteers walked with the heavy vahanam on their shoulders.  And when they moved to the beats of the nadaswaram and tavil, a few devotees who had gathered there skipped and hopped along with them.

The pictures seen here were taken by Vana Narayanan, a resident of Mylapore.

Rishaba vahanam: A midnight procession

The Rishaba vahanam procession started a little after midnight on March 16.  Here are a few pictures taken at the temple..

A kolam made out of flowers and grains

Lord Kapaleeswarar decorated with huge garlands and shiny ornaments

The deities, all ready to be taken out in procession

Devotees wait with their offerings

Re-enactment of the Angampoompavai incident

Every year, during the panguni festival, the story of how saint Thirugnanasambandar revived Angampoompavai is re-enacted the day after the Ther rolls out onto the Mada Streets.

An abhishekam is performed for the deity who is carried to the temple tank in a small pallaku.

An air of festivity pervades as scores of people throng the neighbourhood, both to catch a glimpse of the morning pooja and to witness the Arubathimoovar festival which is held in the evening.

Ther is set to ride tomorrow

Ther has been set for its ride. The temple volunteers have completed the it's decoration today. 

Ther procession will take place tomorrow from 6 a. m. onwards. 

Take a look at the decorated Pallaku

Take a look at the Pallaku that was taken out this morning.

Minute and innovative artworks have been woven into the velvet cloth. R. Balaji, an artisan from cintadripet, who traditionally makes it has contributed to this.

Wooden stoppers for Ther getting ready

This evening, workers were trimming the wooden stoppers (sara kattai) that are used to stop and turn the ther. The handles were rounded with a grinder to get a firm grip.

Around 30 stoppers are made every year. "For stopping the ther once we use four kattias - two on the inner side and two on the outer side of the wheel. And all the 30 will get broken by the end of the procession, " says K. Saravanan, a Sri Padam volunteer.

These Sri Padams are skilled in inserting the stoppers. But still they say it is a challenging task.

"Some stoppers might even get broken within a single use. Though we have some extra ones, it sometimes gets very difficult if they break," he says.

Adikara Nandi: Marking the donation of the silver kavacham

Every year, during the panguni festival, a special pooja is offered to Adikara Nandi the night before the procession by the members of the Thandarai Vaidhyar family. The family donated the silver kavacham to the deity in 1917.

A small celebration was organised by Mylapore Trio at the temple. A dance was put up by Sugathan Mohandass. 

Last night it was the turn of the Naga, Kamadhenu and Aadu vahanams

The deities were seen on the Naga, Kamadhenu and Aadu vahanams yesterday night. 

A priest takes aarti for the deity seated on the Naga vahanam

Artistes on the nadaswaram belt out traditional tunes

The beautifully decorated Kamadhenu vahanam

The Aadu vahanam

Free medical camp: During Ther and Arubathimoovar

A free medical camp will be held on March 17 and 18 at Vanniyar Mandapam at East Mada Street, Mylapore to help devotees during the Ther and Arubathimoovar festival. The camp, which has been organised by MTS Academy and Chennai Medical College, will be  from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both the days. 

Renting out utensils for food preparation during Arubathimoovar

The Arubathimoovar procession which will be held on Monday, March 18, this year is synonymous with food donation. All over the neighbourhood, food stalls are set up to feed the thousands who drop in on that day to watch the nayanmars go around the Mada streets.

People who prepare the food usually rent out the utensils and furniture to be used on that day. At Chitrakulam North Street, Balavinayakar Enterprises, have been in the renting business for more than four decades.

K. Swaminathan, the current owner, says this business was started by his father G. Krishnamurthy four decades ago. "We rent out chairs, tables and big utensils all year round. For Arubathimoovar alone, more than 50 people rent out from us. We have utensils that can be used to feed upto 1000 people".

And that's not all. Along with his staff, K. Swaminathan also makes 250 kgs of pongal or other varieties of rice for distribution that evening.

For details contact him at 9677053071. 

Lord Shiva mounts one of his biggest devotees today morning

The deities were taken out on the silver Purusha Mirugam vahanam today morning. Considered to be a devotee of Lord Shiva, Purusha Mirugam, as the name suggests is half man and half animal.

The silver kavacham was donated by the members of Thiruvasaga Thirusabhai in 2016. This is a Mylapore based group whose members have been actively involved in religious activities for more than two decades.

Temple umbrellas get new colours

Many new umbrellas have been made for this year's Panguni Festival. Two among them have different colour combinations - peacock blue and bright yellow.

The temple Sri Padams (volunteers who carry the gods during procession) and R. Balaji, a traditional umbrella maker from cintadripet together decide the designs and colours for these umbrellas.

"We wanted to break the monotony of white, golden and green colours that are usually used for making temple umbrellas. Hence, we came up with these colours," says K. Saravanan, a temple Sri Padam.

"We are also working on many other colour combinations and designs," he says.

Volunteers and devotees decorate the palanquins for the Arubathimoovar procession on March 18

Today, the temple volunteers cleaned and decorated some of the palanquins for the Arubathimoovar procession on March 18.

Many women devotees have drawn unique and beautiful kolams in rice flour. (pacha arasi mavu)

The scene at Sri Kapali Temple today afternoon

The deities will be taken out on the Bhootan, Bhootaki and Tarakasura vahanams today evening. This is the scene at the temple today afternoon...

The bhootan vahanam all ready to be decorated

The bhootaki vahanam which will carry the utsava murthy of goddess Karpagambal

A volunteer draws kolams at the eastern entrance of the temple

Workers cover up the Adikara Nandi Vahanam. The vahanam will be used again for next year's panguni festival.

Thirugnanasambandar's Gnanapal incident enacted at the temple tank

According to ancient texts, saint Thirugnanasambandar was less than five years old when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before him. The goddess fed him some milk. When his father, who saw drops of milk on his mouth, asked him who had fed him, Thirugnanasambandar pointed to the sky and sang the song 'Thodudaya Seviyan', a verse from the Thevaram. This is known as the Gnanapal event.

Less than an hour ago, when the Adikara Nandi procession reached South Mada Street, Mylapore a small pooja was held at the temple tank to mark this event. Devotees were seen offering milk to the deity and later distributing the same to the people who had gathered there.

This event is held prior to the Angampoompavai incident which will be held tomorrow.

The dance of the Gods

Here is a video taken during the Adikara Nandi procession today morning

Deities taken out on the Adikara Nandi today morning

It is a little after 6 a.m. Outside Sri Kapali Temple, Mylapore hundreds of devotees have assembled. It is the third day of the festival, the day when the deity is taken out on a procession on the Adikara Nandi.

Inside the temple, the arrangements are almost done. The deities have been decorated with huge garlands and silk clothes.

Soon it is time for the deities to make their way outside the temple. The crowd moves forward, hoping to get a glimpse. Children who want a better view are seated on their parent's necks. A group of seniors are chanting hymns. Another group watch with folded hands.

The music from the nadaswaram and drums fills the air. The procession moves forward. Everywhere it stops, the devotees rush forward to hand over their offerings. The youngsters who have been pulling the vahanam take a little water break, the heat is slowly setting in.

All along the Mada Streets, vendors have set up their shops, selling everything from coconuts and flowers to balloons and paper fans.

A festive mood sets in

A festive mood has set in and around Sri Kapali Temple.

This evening, the mada streets looked like a village mela with the beautifully decorated pandals and pavement shops.

Many nomadic hawkers have put their shops today ahead of Adikara Nandi procession tomorrow (March 13) at 6 a.m.

The children were seen enjoying the merry-go-rounds and balloon shooting games at East Mada Street.

Adjacent to them the hawkers were selling beaded chains, handbags, a variety of earrings and jewellary, chat-items, raw mangoes (served with chilli powder and salt), kamarkat and other traditional sweets.

Here are a few pictures that show the mood at the mada streets.

Devotees eagerly wait for Adikara Nandi procession

As the donors complete the decoration of silver Adikara Nandi, the devotees are eagerly waiting for its procession to take place tomorrow at 6 a.m.

A group of devotees are planning to come as early as 4 a.m.

"Else, we won't be able to get the proper darshan of Lord Kapaleeswarar in Adikara Nandi vahanam once the crowd starts coming," says a devotee from that group. 

Structure depicting the temple's legend attracts devotees

A structure showing goddess parvathy doing pooja for Shiva lingam with four peacocks in front is kept opposite to the temple office.

Lighted with bright colors this structure that shows the legend behind the temple, is attracting a large number of devotees.

A temple official says, "We usually keep this during our exhibition at the trade centre. Now, we have brought this here for the festival." 

Chandra Vattam getting ready for procession

'Artist Veda' from Vandalur paints the eyes of yazhi present at the sides of Chandra Vattam vahanam.

Chandra Vattam procession will take place at 9 p.m. today. 

Mud for palligai pooja taken from P. S. High School

Just before the Velli Mooshika Vahanam festival is held, a ritual is followed. The mud to be used for the palligai pooja at the temple is taken from P. S. High School, Mylapore. The area from which the mud is to be taken is marked and beautiful kolams are drawn.

Later Sri Chandikeshwarar is taken in a procession from Sri Kapali Temple to the school. After a small pooja, the mud is brought back to the temple. 

Punnai Maram vahanam makes its rounds of the Mada streets

Here are some pictures taken during the punnai maram procession held today evening

The decorated Punnai Maram vahanam.

Picture by Vana Narayanan

The vahanam with the deities.

A young devotee seeks the blessings of the deity

The jadai of the goddess

Donors start serving

Lakskmi Ram, a resident of Nadu street, Mylapore has started serving snacks to the temple volunteers and workers.

She has been serving for the past nine years along with her brother Harish and family. The picture above shows Harish serving a temple worker.

Today they served tea, carrot halwa and masala vada in the evening.

Elsewhere, donors at Sri Vidya Nilayam (pooja items shop) in North Mada Street served sambhar rice in the morning during pancha murthy purappadu. 

Silver Adikara Nandi gets polished

The Silver Adikara Nandi is being polished.

The donor T. K. Kumaraswamy's family is polishing the 102-year-old vahanam.

The vahanam is first polished with kunkun kotai water and vibhuthi. Later, a silver polish is applied.

"Since, our grandfather has donated this vahanam, we are very attached to this one. Hence, we give at most care while handling it," says B. Chandra, grandson of T. K Kumaraswamy.

The Adikara Nandi celebration will take place on March 13 at 6 a.m.

The work on the garland starts

The workers of Raj flower shop, at Ponambala Vathiyar Street are busy tying Sambangi flowers in navarathri mandapam.

 This flower shop has been providing garlands for the Panguni Festival since ten years.

"Now, we are working on a garland for tomorrow's celebration. It will have 4 - feet height and will be 6 inches thick," says A. Sathyaraj, a worker.

"Everyday the dimensions and flowers will differ according to the celebration," he says.