Religious fervour marks ‘Thai Poosam’ in Palani

‘Thai Poosam’ festival at Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani in Dindigul district was celebrated in a grand manner on Sunday with lakhs of devotees from far and near coming to Palani to attend the event.

The devotees pulled the temple car with the chants of ‘Muruga, Muruga, and Arohara, Arohara.’ The temple car with the presiding deities Lord Muthukumarasamy and Goddesses Valli and Deivanai was pulled around the four Car Streets. The devotees sought the blessings of the deities.

Lakhs of devotees attended the celestial wedding which was performed on January 31. Special pujas, aradhana and abishekam were performed to the deities. On Saturday 1,70,000 devotees had darshan at the temple and on Sunday over 2,00,000 devotees had darshan, as per temple sources.

A total of 3,12,325 containers of panchamirtham worth a total of ₹87,29,685 were sold during the ‘Thai Poosam’ festival, as per the temple sources.

The devotees started pouring into the temple town for the ‘Thai Poosam’ festival which began on January 26 with the hoisting of the holy flag at Sri Periyanayaki Amman Temple.

On the day of ‘Thai Poosam’, devotees gathered in large numbers and waited in long queues to visit the Palani hill temple. They came on foot (padayatra) after observing fast. Theertha vari was conducted at the Shanmuganadhi in the morning which was followed by the procession.

Palani MLA I.P. Senthil Kumar, Collector S. Saravanan, Superintendent of Police A. Pradeep, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department officials and others were present during the event.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made for the smooth conduct of the grand event and for the safety and security of the devotees. A large number of police personnel were deployed in the temple town for the grand event. The festival will conclude on February 4 with Theppa Ther.

Considering the large number of devotees coming to attend the event, special buses to various destinations were operated and adequate arrangements had been made to provide drinking water, toilet facilities, medical assistance and accommodation to the devotees. Annadhanam was provided to the devotees.