The car processions that mark the annual celebration of the feast of saint Lazarus by the community of Our Lady of Guidance Church in R. A. Puram is the grandest.
The rain did not dampen the event – the first procession taken out on Saturday, January 24 night after the Holy Mass, and the second after the morning Holy Mass on Sunday, January 25.
Nine statues – of Mary and a few saints, including that of saint Lazarus, were taken out in cars that were decorated with flowers and illuminated, through the streets of the church zone where many Catholics reside.
A band played music and led the procession. Then came the group of altar-servers.
Families offered flower garlands as the procession made stops at many places. Some of these families have, for generations, been patrons of this festival, which was initiated by their elders. The church says this is the 444th edition of the festival, and if you go by this claim, predates the foundation of the city of Madras.
Hawkers had set up stalls along Lazarus Church Road and this turned into a small market which remained alive past midnight of Saturday, creating an atmosphere which, elders of the church said existed in a larger spread in the old days when devotees from across the city headed here for this festival.
