Devotees thronged the Sri Kokilambal Thirukameshwara Temple in Villianur to take part in a chariot procession — one of the highlights of the Shiva temple’s annual festival.
As per custom, Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy symbolically pulled the rope tethered to the bedecked temple car carrying the deity.
Speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam, Agriculture Minister C. Djeacoumar, Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister A.K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar, Leader of Opposition R. Siva, and temple administrators participated.
Police security was tighened due to the sizeable crowd. The temple administration committee had welcomed the Lt. Governor with a ‘purna kumbh’. Mr. Kailashnathan, Mr. Rangasamy and others also offered prayers and served food to the poor in an ‘annadanam’ ritual.
The Lt. Governor, Chief Minister and other dignitaries were escorted away immediately after the symbolic rope-pulling ritual.
The chariot procession, marking a high point of the ten-day festival at the Thirukameshwara Temple, one of the largest in Puducherry, attracts devotees from across the region. The decorated car is pulled by devotees through the streets surrounding the temple before returning to the sanctum.
Published – June 08, 2025 09:20 pm IST