Panguni Peruvizha is the annual festival of Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai. The 7th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Kapaleeshwarar here. Panguni is the name of the Tamil month during which the event happens, and 'peruvizha' means 'great festival' in Tamil.
This blog contains 30 photos shot in Chennai, covering the following 5 events during Panguni Peruvizha :
1) Kodiyetram (flag hoisting),
2) Adhikara Nandi Kaatchi (display of the large Nandi),
3) Vellividai Vahanam or Silver Rishaba Vahanam,
4) Therottam (chariot festival),
5) Arupathumoovar procession.
Arupathumoovar procession is unique to Chennai, during which the 63 Nayanmars (devotee-saints of Shiva) are honoured for their bhakti (devotion) towards the lord. In other Shiva temples, the Nayanmar idols are fixed inside as immovable granite figures, but it is only in Kapaleeshwarar Temple that they can be carried in procession.
Location : Chennai District, Tamil Nadu.
Photos shot in March 2019.
All photos © S Srikant.
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| Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai, early in the morning on the opening day of Panguni Peruvizha. |
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| Kodiyetram ('flag hoisting' in Tamil) in Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai. This event marks the official beginning of Panguni Peruvizha, when a flag is hoisted on the dhvajastambha (flag pole). |
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| A priest tugs at a cloth to properly secure the hoisted flag during kodiyetram in Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai. |
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| Devotees pray in Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai on the opening day of Panguni Peruvizha. |
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| Lord Kapaleeshwarar is seen behind his guardian deity Nandi (centre) during Adhikara Nandi Kaatchi ('display of the large Nandi' in Tamil), as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| A priest looks on as flowers are showered on Nandi during Adhikara Nandi Kaatchi, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| Lord Kapaleeshwarar being taken in procession on a giant silver bull during the event Vellividai Vahanam (Silver Rishaba Vahanam), as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| Women drawing kolam to welcome the procession of Lord Kapaleeshwarar during Vellividai Vahanam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| Fireworks celebrating the procession of Lord Kapaleeshwarar during Vellividai Vahanam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| A jampacked street before the commencement of therottam ('chariot procession' in Tamil) during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| Bharatanatyam dancers during therottam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| The ther gets pulled by people during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| Devotees reciting hymns from Thevaram, the Tamil poetry dedicated to Lord Shiva, during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| People pulling a rope of the chariot during therottam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| Buttermilk being distributed to devotees during therottam, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| The giant ropes of the ther (chariot) are rolled after the conclusion of therottam during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| An elderly devotee sings the praise of the Nayanmars on the day of Arupathumoovar procession, during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| Women engaged in madipichai on the day of Arupathumoovar procession, during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. The Tamil word 'madipichai' refers to the practice of seeking of alms by women as prayer to god, in times of distress. |
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| A woman prays to Lord Kapaleeshwarar as another reads a religious book during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| A man prays during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| Women prostrate during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| A view of the Nayanmars and other deities during Panguni Peruvizha in Chennai. |
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| People reach to get vibhuti (holy ash) from a priest during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| A group of devotees singing hymns during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| Trishula (Hindu trident) and holy smoke during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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| Nayanmars being carried during Arupathumoovar procession, as part of Panguni Peruvizha, in Chennai. |
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