Historic Trinco temple chariot festival draws large crowd
[TamilNet, Monday, 17 March 2003, 23:28 GMT]
Several thousand devotees from all parts of the island participated at the
Chariot (Ther) festival of the historic Trincomalee Pathirakali Ambal
Temple held Monday. Three chariots were taken in procession around the
temple while devotees chanted 'Arohara,' sources said.
 |
Devotees perform religious rite ’Angaprathashanam’.
| Hindus and Buddhists in the country revere the Trincomalee Pathirakali Ambal
temple. The chief deity of the temple, Goddess Pathirakali Ambal, was carried in the
big chariot, which followed two small chariots carrying deities Pilliayar
and Murugan. Hundreds of devotees performed a religious rite called ‘Angapirathshnam’ behind the big chariot carrying the chief deity. The chief priest and the head of the Pathirakali Temple
Bramasiri'Vethakamamamani' S.Ravichandrakurukkal officiated at the Chariot
festival. The annual festival (Mahotsavam) of the temple commenced on March 8. With the
water cutting ceremony (Theertham festival) scheduled to be held on Tuesday,
the annual festival of the temple will come to a close, sources said.
|