Lockdown restrictions a big dampener on Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations

For many years, the Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations at the Nava Sakthi Vinayakar Temple near Luz Circle have been a grand seven-day event culminating in a street procession on the final evening.
However, the current lockdown regulations restricting the entry of devotees into temples on Friday and over the weekend is proving to be a big dampener to this  year’s celebrations.  The event has been cut down to five days starting this Thursday ( Sept 9).
On Vinayaka Chathurthi, there will be an abhisekam in the morning followed by the draping of Lord Vinayaka in a golden Kavacham but people will not be able to watch the event as they will not be allowed into the temple this Friday.
Every evening, there will be a special alankaram followed by a deepa aaradhanai at 6.30pm.
This Sunday evening the Lord will be seen in a sayana alankaram. He will also enjoy the Oonjal that evening at 6.30pm.
This year’s celebrations will culminate on Monday evening with a procession of the Lord inside the temple at 7.30pm.
For several years, Kutcheris by star Carnatic musicians also formed part of the seven day celebrations but this year there will be no kutcheris on any of the days.
Report, photo by S. Prabhu