|
 Even
though Chennai is adapting itself to the changing trends and modern
world, the city has not left behind its tradition and culture.
Particularly the temples are still continuing the ancient rituals
and festivals. Chennai is known for its famous, ancient temples and
one among them is the well-known Kapaleeswarar temple at Mylapore.
The very name of the temple reminds us of the annual Car and
Aruvathu moovar festival.
With regard to Kapaleeswarar temple, the Tamil month Panguni
(March-April) could be called the month of festival. It is
during this month, the 10-day Brahmotsavam or the Great Festival
takes place. .
On the first day of the festival, flag hoisting
ceremony (Dhwajarohanam) takes place in the morning, to mark the
beginning of the festival. Although it is a ten day festival,
Adhikara Nandhi, Car festival, Aruvathu moovar and Bhikshatanar
festival are more significant. During the Adhikara Nandhi festival,
the main God, Lord Kapaleeswarar, seated on huge silver Bull-Adhikara
Nandhi is taken around the four mada streets. Goddess Karpagambal,
Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivaanai, Lord Ganesha and Lord
Chandikeswar also join the procession. The annual car festival or
the Rath Yatra is celebrated on the seventh day of the Brahmotsavam.
The Lord is seated in a huge thaer (Car), which is richly decorated
with thoranams and floral garlands. As drawing the car is considered
divine, people from various parts of the state and the country
voluntarily pull it.
 Since the annual car festival is the most important
among the other festivals, a huge number of devotees throng to have
darshan of the Lord. It takes almost the entire day for the car to
move around the mada streets and reach the temple.
The eighth day festival, Aruvathu moovar is another important
festival. On this day, there is a procession of the 63 Nayanmars or
the Saivaite devotees in palanquins. These palanquins are highly
decorated with clothes, ornaments and flowers. The other Gods and
Goddess including Lord Kapaleeswarar, Goddess Karpagambal, Lord
Muruga Lord Ganesha and Lord Chandikeswar follow the Nayanmars.
The penultimate day of the Brahmotsavam festival is the Bhikshatana
festival, during which, Lord Kapaleeswarar as ascetic with a skull
bowl in hand is taken around. On the concluding day, devotees are
privileged to witness the marriage (Thirukalyanam) of the Lord and
Goddess Karpagambal, who is in the form of mayil or peacock. At the
end of the Thirukalyanam, the flag is brought down, marking the
completion of the 10-day festival.
On all the ten days, Ainthirumeni or the five idols of Lord
Kapaleeswarar, Goddess Karpagambal, Lord Muruga with Valli and
Deivaanai, Lord Ganesha and Lord Chandikeswar are taken in
procession.
 This year, the Panguni festival at
Kapaleeswarar temple commenced on March 12 and is on till March 21.
The annual car festival is held on March 18, Aruvathu Moovar
festival on March 19, Bhikshatanar festival on March 20 and the
Thirukalyanam on March 21. Throughout the Brahmotsavam, Mylapore wears a festive look with the
sale of toys, sweets, ornaments and pottery. Devotees also offer
buttermilk for their counterparts to quench their thirst.
Very few temples celebrate the auspicious Panguni month with such a
variety of festivals and Kapaleeswarar Festival is a divine
experience for the Chennaivasis. U. Bakialakshmi |
