March, a busy month for places of religious worship in Chennai Premium

March saw religious festivals in Chennai, from Panguni Uthiram to Easter and Ramzan, with vibrant celebrations at temples, churches, and mosques.

March was a busy month for places of religious worship in the city. Decorative lights lit up the gopurams, spires, and domes as festivals, including Panguni Uthiram, Easter, and Ramzan, were celebrated.

The Panguni Peruvizha of the Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore saw huge crowds as the idols of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) were brought out in procession last Saturday. A large number of devotees distributed food, water, buttermilk, and milk to the multitudes that gathered on the occasion.

The Tamil star of Uthiram in the month of Panguni, falling on the full moon day, is also special for the Murugan temple at Vadapalani, which is officially known as the Arulmigu Vadapalani Andavar Temple. Swaminathan, a priest at the temple, explained that the idol was taken out in a procession, and then taken around in the temple tank on a float. This was done on three consecutive days in the evening. Each day, the idol was dressed up differently.

On day one, the utsava idol was decked up as Sri Vadapalani Andavar, on day 2 was Sri Shanmugar with six faces, and the third day He was Subramaniar, accompanied by His Consorts Sri Valli and Sri Devasena. The temple also had a Laksharchanai for three days.

On Sunday as the Lord Resurrected, the 40 days of Lent with its fasting by the devout came to an end. Churches in the city celebrated Easter with special decorations and sermons.

The St. Mary’s Church of South India, consecrated in 1680, the oldest Anglican Church east of the Suez, prayerfully celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ through a Holy Communion worship and the Presbyter delivered a special sermon with prayers.

Prince Vijayakumar, who attended the midnight mass at St. Andrews Church, also known as the Kirk, on Poonamallee High Road on Saturday night, said it also provided an opportunity to meet all his family members. “Somehow midnight mass has its charm with all the colourful lighting and beautiful flowers,” he said. All the churches, including the Santhome Cathedral, were decked up for the occasion.