Mylapore fascinates. For many reasons. During the panguni festival of Sri Kapali Temple, the temple campus and the mada veedhis come alive.
This Sunday morning, the ther rolled out early – past 6 a.m. To the shouts and prayers of ‘Kapali! Kapaliiii!.
Dozens of men draped the massively-thick ropes over their shoulders, to carry forward the chariot even as regular volunteers worked on wood shafts to move the giant wheels and bring them to a stop at many points.
It was a sticky morning and people were sweating by the buckets but the fervour held them.
Being a holiday, there were thousands on the mada veedhis. Many carried plates with coconuts and camphor, to offer to the lord at the stops.
Many shared water and buttermilk as the morning got sultry.
