The nayanmars are the stars of the Panguni festival’s arabathumoovar procession of Sri Kapali Temple. The 63 saints.
A celebration which took place on March 30 afternoon in the blazing 32 degrees on the mada veedhis.
But only a limited number of the thousands of people packed into the streets take a close look at them, some making a symbolic gesture with folded hands.
The focus of this procession remains the lord, Kapaleeswarar, looking majestic, as crowds surround him to pray and make offerings and get some flowers or ash to take home. As his palaquin rested under the pandal off the Kalathi store, a silvery moon rose in the skies, seen against a flower-rich mango tree.
The latter stars were the gods and goddesses who also make this evening’s procession grand. As if it is an event for everybody. Saint Thiruvalluvar, lord Singaravelar from Mandaveli, ‘vaira’ Murugan from Chintadripet, Kolavizhi Amman and Mundagakanni Amman from Mylapore and also, Valeeswarar . . .
Each of them slipped into the procession past 5 p.m., many placed in richly-done palaquins, fitted with LED lighting.
The crowds are thinner around each of them, leaving people space to pray and be blessed.
If there was a record participation in the ‘ther’ procession on Sunday, it was bigger the next day, for the procession of the saints and the gods and goddesses.
