Panthakkal for Karthigai Deepam installed at T’malai

TIRUVANNAMALAI: The panthakkal for the ensuing Karthigai Deepam festival in the temple town of Tiruvannmamalai was installed in front of the 16-pillar mandapam on the 6th pragaram of Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple at 6.15 am on Friday.

Official sources said the district administration is making all arrangements for the festival taking adequate precautions as this would be first time that the festival would be held with participation of the public after the pandemic lockdown.

“This time we anticipate the arrival of nearly 40 lakh devotees for two reasons. One, they are coming to Tiruvannamalai after a two year hiatus. Second, as Pournami falls on December 7, the day after the lighting of the Bharani and Maha Deepams, crowds will definitely be more as it is auspicious to undertake the girivalam on that day,” an official said.

The panthakkal was installed by Pichagar Raghuraman after it was handed over to him by HR&CE joint commissioner Ashok Kumar. Earlier, special poojas were performed for the pole at Sammanda Vinayagar sannadhi in the 3rd pragaram. Special poojas were also performed for the five main temple chariots, which would carry the deities during the traditional processions during specific days of the festival days.

Temple officials said, “the flag hoisting, which marks the official start of the festival, will take place on November 27. The Bharani Deepam will be lit inside the temple in the early hours on December 6 followed by the huge Maha Deepam atop the 2,665-foot high Annamalai hills later the same evening.”

Officials informed that meetings would soon be held by Collector B Murugesh, along with PWD Minister and Assembly deputy speaker EV Velu and K Pichandi shortly to enumerate the steps to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.”