Chariot Festival

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

The “Aadi Poora Mahotsavam” of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali temple is currently being held for the 22nd time. The annual chariot festival of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali temple was held on July 26th 2009.

The streets of Bambalapitty and Wellwatte looked colourful and cheerful today, as the five chariots moved slowly on a cloudy and humid day. Thousands of devotees dressed elegantly and thronged the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali Amma temple at dawn.

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Beautifully carved statues of Lord Vinayagar, Goddess Amman and Lord Murugan above the main entrance of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali Amman temple

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Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali Ammal temple

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Fresh flower garlands for sale near the temple

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Fresh flower garlands for sale near the temple

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Pumpkin is cut into two pieces and Vermilion is applied to chase away the evil spirits. This tradition was carried out before the chariots left for procession

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Manimekalai Swaminathan (40) decided to carry Karagam and she wants to continue

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A devotee is seen hanging on metal hooks to fulfill his vows

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Neethipathy Jeganathan carries out his vow through an Anjaneyar Kaavadi. He has been taking Kaavadi since 1987. Earlier he hooked himself on a Thookku Kaavadi or Paravai Kaavadai several times

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Skin is pierced through the mouth to fix the metal Vel

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Many Thookku Kaavadis added colour to the festival

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Twin Thookku Kaavadi during the chariot festival

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The devotees who carry out their vow by hanging on hooks for almost a day said that they do not feel any pain

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Devotional songs are being sung

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Chariots are seen on Havelock Road

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Devotees carry burning camphor

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Devotees carry burning camphor

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he chariots parade through Dr. Lester James Pieris Mawatha

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The chariots parade through Dr. Lester James Pieris Mawatha

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Offerings are kept on the way

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6 B 1 B
Offerings are kept on the way

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Devotees are seen smashing coconuts on the Dr.Lester James Peiris Mawatha

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6 B 2
Devotees are seen smashing coconuts on the Dr.Lester James Peiris Mawatha

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The chariots parade through Dr. Lester James Pieris Mawatha

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Theclasical instruments accompanied the chariots on Dr. Lester James Peiris Mawatha

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Rolling on road to carry out their vows

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Offerings are kept on the way

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Offerings are kept on the way

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Devotees along the parade route

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Lord Vinayagar's chariot is seen passing the Davidson Road in Bambalapitty

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A devotee carries a clay pot of burning camphor in Bambalapitty

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Devotees gathered on the streets to view the Chariot festival and get blessed

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Colourful Chariots on Galle Road in Bambalapitty

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Lord Vinayagar's chariot takes the lead in the procession

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The chief priest of Sri Paththirakaali Amman temple Uthaya Narayana Kurukkal accompanies the Goddess during the prcession

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A kid is seated behind the chariot which carries the Goddess

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Lord Murugan and Goddesses Valli and Theivayanai are being paraded through streets

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Five chariots moved one after the other, and parallel to the traffic

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Five chariots moved one after the other, and parallel to the traffic

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Five chariots moved one after the other, and parallel to the traffic

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Five chariots moved one after the other, and parallel to the traffic

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The chariots are being welcomed by the devotees and priests of Naattukottai New Kathiresan temple and Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitty

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The chariots are being welcomed by the devotees and priests of Naattukottai New Kathiresan temple and Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitty

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The chariots are being welcomed by the devotees and priests of Naattukottai New Kathiresan temple and Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitty

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The main Kopuram of Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitty

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Jul 26th: Mayurapathy Chariot Festival

Special pooja was performed and the beautifully dressed idols were placed on five different chariots. They were pulled by male and female devotees including kids. The sky looked gloomy, it drizzled and rained later.

Although it was a Sunday, the traffic was heavy, which was controlled by the authorities. Chariots were welcomed by the devotees who gathered on the streets with Kumbam, Kuththu Vilakku, fresh flower garlands, incense sticks, camphor , silk cloth, coconut and fruits while heaps of coconuts were smashed on the ground.

The five chariots paraded through Havelock Road, Dr. Lester James Pieris Mawatha (Former Dickman’s Road), Galle Road and W.A.Silva Mawatha (High Street). Thavil and Nathaswaram were played continuously. And devotional songs dedicated to the Goddess were also played in a tuk tuk, which was moving from street to street.

The five chariots were followed by devotees carrying out their vows such as rolling on the road, carrying a clay pot of burning camphor, and taking various Kaavadis including Anjaneyar Kaavadi, Thookku Kaavadi or Paravai Kaavadi and normal Kaavadi. Bajan singers sang devotional songs and walked behind the chariots.

2 comments:

  1. Nice candid photography! :-)

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  2. please post some ayyappan poojai ,,bhajans photos of this year which takes place at mayurapathy temple.....swamiye saranam ayyappa

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