This far, Friday midnight saw the biggest gathering in and outside Sri Kapali Temple for the ongoing Panguni festival.
It was the grand procession of the lord on rishaba vahanam, alongside the ambal and others.
The late night hours allowed people to stream in thick, from all sides, streams starting after 10 p.m. Later, the temple yards were packed to the edges, fervour high and music floating all over.
There were a few thousands in Sannidhi Street to greet and pray as the rishaba vahanam gently crossed the eastern gate and entered the mantapam zone.
The procession got going – the nadaswaram, the Siva bhaktas group and more. This year, all kinds of artistes have been invited to heighten the colour and grandness of the processions.
One group of five, said to be from Kerala, adorned lavishly-designed headgear and decor of gods like Vinayakar, Muruga and Krishna, walking motionless and greeting people, taking breaks now and then.
It was chilly and a tad sultry too.
When the procession reached the Indian Bank junction off R K Mutt Road, and the five palaquins aligned themselves and were stationed here for long, there were thousands of people in this area. The time – 3 a.m.
It was well after 6 a.m when the rishaba vahanam and the lord got back to the temple.
Grand indeed was this event.
