It was Aadi Krithigai on Saturday and a special day in the year for Lord Muruga.
At Velleeswarar Temple, it was the culmination of the 20-day Vasantha Utsavam that had begun in the first week of the month. The first ten days were dedicated to Sri Velleeswarar and the second ten to Lord Muruga.
By 8pm, Lord Muruga had been mounted on the mayil vahana and he was all set for a long procession with a colourful green and yellow canopy atop.
Through the VSV Koil Street, he reached Mandaveli market for a 10 minute half in front of the Dhandu Mariamman temple. As he made his way back on to the South Mada Street, the regular devotees gathered at the temple for the return of the Lord after a procession around the Mada Streets.
However, a sudden heavy downpour spoiled the show and the procession had to make a hasty retreat back into the temple shortly after 9pm bringing to end the Vasantha Utsavam.
A special highlight that impressed all the devotees during the festival this year was the beautiful decoration and the float inside the temple complex with colourful canopies hanging down from the top.
- Report, photo; S. Prabhu
