It’s just after 11.30am on Monday and the chariot has made its way in front of the temple office on North Mada Street – the street is packed and there is not an inch of space to move.
Newly appointed temple executive officer R Hariharan sports a happy look; pleased the procession has gone on well thus far and as per plan.
He is experiencing the Panguni Utsavam for the first time at Sri Kapaleeswarar temple, anchoring the administrative aspects.
There is a lot of hard work that has been put in over the last month in getting this right.
Right in the middle is police inspector M Ravi who takes on a suspicious character, after being alerted by a lady devotee, and hands him a stern warning.
The announcements by members of the Station Vigilance Committee is continuous throughout the procession as they guide the devotees on the process of having darshan.
The beating of the drums too is tireless as the Shiva adiyars give it their best through the five hours giving the procession an even more of a devotional flavour.
The Chariot reached the Theradi at 12.55pm, 5 1/2 hours after it started, to the rapturous applause of devotees.
Story by S Prabhu.
Watch Chariot procession video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEGpX8HN4Ow
