Devotees throng Tirupparankundram Temple for Vaikasi Visakam

Devotees throng Subramaniyaswamy Temple for Vaikasi Visakam with kavadis, milk pots, and special rituals.

Thousands of devotees on Monday thronged Subramaniyaswamy Temple at Tirupparankundram carrying ‘kavadis’ and milk pots on their shoulders and heads on the occasion of Vaikasi Visakam.

Devotees to fulfil their vows walked to the temple in a procession barefoot under the scorching sun. A good number of devotees pierced their tongues with spears.

The idol of Lord Shanmuganathar was brought out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, one of the six holy abodes of Lord Murugan, to Visaka mandapam around 6 a.m..

Special milk abhishekams were performed till 2 p.m. by devotees who brought pots filled with milk. Special pujas and milk abhishekam were performed to the Lord and His consorts Valli and Deivanai.

Many organisations and volunteers had set up stalls to distribute free food, water and buttermilk to the devotees along the way to the temple.

The public and volunteers splashed water on the devotees at several places along the way to the temple to cool them from the sweltering summer heat. Police made elaborate arrangements to regulate the crowd.