‘Vaikaasi Visaakam' celebrations held in Tiruchendur
Over a lakh devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu took holy dip in the sea and offered special prayers at Lord Subramaniya Swami Temple here as part of 'Vaikaasi Visaakam' celebrations on Monday.
After the sanctum sanctorum was opened, the 'viswaroopa dharshan' was held, which was followed by 'udhayamarthanda abhishekam' at 6 a.m. Following 'abhishekam' and 'deepaaraadhanai', the golden car festival was held in which Swami Jayanthinathar reached 'vasantha mandapam' where other rituals were held.
The celebrations ended as Swami reached the shrine again with Valli and Deivanai in the golden car.
After taking holy dip in the sea, the devotees offered prayers in the temple. Special buses were operated from Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil to Tiruchendur in view of the festival.
Led by Superintendent of Police Albert John, police had made comprehensive security arrangements and effected traffic diversions for ensuring smooth flow of vehicular traffic. Buoys had been deployed in the sea to prevent the devotees from moving to the deeper part of the sea.
The district administration had declared local holiday in view of 'Vaikaasi Visaakam'.
The festival was celebrated with fervour at Sri Suyambulinga Swami Temple in Uvari in Tirunelveli district. After taking dip in the sea, the devotees took the sand from the sea in palm leaf baskets and heaped it on the shore to fulfil their vow.
Float festival was organised at Bhagavathi Amman Temple in Kanniyakumari in the temple tank as part of 'Vaikaasi Visaakam' celebrations. Devotees in large number came to Thovaalai Chekkar Giri Subramaniya Swami Temple on the occasion.
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