All around the Sri Kapali Temple, there may be signs of chaos and crowds but inside, everything about the Panguni festival runs clockwork despite a few hiccups.
Take the day of the grand arabathumoovar procession which took place this year on Saturday.
The images of the nayanmars were brought out in one wing of the temple early and then place din the palaquins, each carrying signboards of the names of the saints. Then, volunteers took turns to adorn them with flowers and vastrams.
Past noon, all was set for the procession that began at about 3.30 p.m.
Being a holiday weekend, large crowds poured into the mada streets to participate.
In the neighbourhood, many people, inside tents, had cooked food and distributed it to people.
Since large scale dislocation and barricading has taken place in Luz Circle due to Chennai Metro work, many hawkers set up stalls around these barricades. And even as late as 11 p.m. people who had soaked in the procession and visited the temple were seen shopping here and then jumping into MTC buses.
WATCH the Videos of the festival here – https://www.youtube.com/@mylaporetv
I live in Chennai and for the first time I visited arvatu moovar and it’s an amazing experience yesterday .I has seen shiva acharyas ,women young kids,participated in the procession happily and I felt it’s divine even amidst the chaotic crowd .
Things can be improved.
If the people can walk in lines we can watch the procession peacefully.People should not throw trash around there has to be adequate trash bins placed .The entire road was littered.
There are group of people who are roughly pushing people around that has to be regulated by police .