People soaking in the annual Panguni festival of Sri Kapali Temple express themselves in many ways. And you can witness this if you move around for an hour or less in and around the temple.
There are those who get into a meditative mood, seated in the quiet, far corners of the temple.
There are those who like to dance to the music of the Siva-bhaktas who are here every day with their traditional music instruments. Two children got into a dance-act on East Mada Street one morning as the artistes performed in a circle. One morning, a madisar woman danced to the music – some liked it, some were derisive in their comments.
A set of women and men design kolams and theme rangolis an hour before the veedhi ula starts; they do this every day – some in Sannidhi Street, some on East Mada and some on South Mada Streets.
A beautiful rangoli was created of Bhoodan on the street as part of Wednesday night’s procession of the lord on the vahanam of Bhoodan, Bhoodaki and Tarakasuran. Parantharami Mani shared a photo of this.
Then there are seniors who bring along juice or buttermilk or water and distribute it to people present in the daytime procession – temperatures climb to 30 degrees by 9 a.m.
And then there are the shoppers – every other hawker stall interests them – window-shopping after they have prayed in the temple. The crowded stalls are the ones that sell fancy bindis and jewellery and such stuff.
