View source for Vaikasi Visakam festival

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[[Category:India |V ]]
[[Category:Festivals |V ]]
[[Category:Religion |V ]]

=In Palani and Tiruchendur=
==2017==
[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/thousands-take-part-in-visakam-festival/article18790238.ece  Thousands take part in Visakam festival, June 8, 2017: The Hindu]

[[File: Devotees witnessing Vaikasi Visakam car procession held in Palani.jpg|Devotees witnessing Vaikasi Visakam car procession held in Palani; PHOTO: G. KARTHIKEYANG; [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/thousands-take-part-in-visakam-festival/article18790238.ece  Thousands take part in Visakam festival, June 8, 2017: The Hindu]|frame|500px]]

'''In Palani and Tiruchendur'''

Devotees witnessed holy car procession at Perianayaki Amman Temple, popularly known as ‘Oor Kovil,’ as part of 10-day Vaikasi Visakam festival.

In the morning, ‘theerthavaari’ celestial bathing, took place in the Shanmuga river. Later, the deity was taken in a procession to the temple.

Special pujas were performed to the main deity and utsavamurthis in the morning. Special aradhanas were also performed to the temple car. Around 11 a.m., the Lord Murugan along with goddesses Valli and Deivanai ascended on the holy car for procession in Simha Lagnam around 4.30 p.m. With the chanting of holy hymns and singing of Thevaram songs, devotees in and around the temple town pulled the holy car through four rath streets of the temple.

Later, the car reached the base at night. Similar pujas were also performed to main deity on the hill temple. Celestial wedding of Lord Murugan took place yesterday. The 10-day festival which commenced with flag hoisting on June 1, will conclude on June 10.

'''Tiruchendur'''

The Vaikasi Visakam festival was celebrated with pomp and gaiety at Arulmighu Subramaniyaswamy Temple in Tiruchendur.

Hundreds of devotees from various parts thronged the temple, the second ‘padaiveedu’ of Lord Murugan, and offered prayers. Vaikasi Visakam is observed in Murugan temples in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June), as Visakam is His birth star.

The 10-day festival started on May 29.

The sanctum sanctorum of the temple was opened at 1 a.m. to facilitate devotees to worship Lord Jeyanthinathar. ‘Vishwaroopa darisanam’ was performed at 1.30 a.m., which was followed by ‘Udhayamarthanda abishekam,’ ‘Uchikala abishekam,’ Uchikala deepa aradhanai' and other special pujas. Devotees had ‘darshan’ of the deity after taking a holy dip in the sea.

Later, Lord Jeyanthinathar was taken in a procession to the Vasantha Mandapam, situated close to the temple, and special rituals were performed there.

Many pilgrims, carrying milk pots and ‘kavadi', reached the temple on foot.

Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur C. Raju and Collector N. Venkatesh offered prayers and interacted with devotees.