The three-day Thaipoosam teppam of Sri Kapaleeswar Temple started on Sunday evening ( Feb.1).
The float did three rounds inside the temple tank on an evening dedicated to lord Kapaleeswarar; he was grandly decorated in the temple and brought to the tank in a procession.
Being a holiday, the tank steps were filled with devotees, mostly on its eastern side.
The area where the temple tank is today was a donation of the Arcot Nawabs made in 18th century. The steps of the tank were built during the years 1910-1925 when Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar was the dharmakarta of the temple.
On Sunday, in the first round, from inside the teppam, there was Veda ghosham recited by the temple pandits and in the second round it was Thevaram innisai by the temple othuvars. The third round was filled with melodious music of the nagaswaram and thavil artistes who performed inside.
We saw a Bihari family seated in the tank, enjoying the festive atmosphere with devotion.
On the streets, small vendors sold sundal, murukku and snacks. And this part of Mylapore looked like a village celebrating a festival.
On the second and third day ( Feb.2 and 3), the teppam will made five and seven rounds respectively with lord Singarevelar and his consorts in the float.
- By Parantharami Mani
