Vibrant Festivities at the Vadapalani Andavar Temple
The Thai Poosam festival was marked by grand celebrations across various temples in the city. At the Vadapalani Andavar Temple, the event spanned two days, attracting thousands of devotees. Approximately 8,000 women carried pots of milk on their heads, while nearly 1,000 devotees bore ‘Kavadis’ in reverence. The temple saw a footfall exceeding one lakh devotees, making it a significant spiritual gathering.
According to temple officials, on February 10, the deity was ceremoniously taken out in procession on the peacock vahanam. The second day, coinciding with a government holiday, saw the deity adorned in a golden kavacham and a golden Vel in the morning, followed by the Raja Alankaram in the evening. Devotees actively participated in the rituals, with all the milk brought for offerings being carefully collected and transferred to the sanctum sanctorum for abhishekam. Throughout the day, prasadam was distributed generously. The temple doors finally closed at 1:30 a.m., marking the end of the celebrations.
The Grand Float Festival at Kamakshiamman Temple, Mangadu
At the Kamakshiamman Temple in Mangadu, Thai Poosam was commemorated with a three-day float festival. Special pujas were conducted, and the presiding deity, Sri Kamakshiamman, was carried in majestic processions featuring Simha Vahanam, Karpaga Vriksha Vahanam, and Naga Vahanam during the evenings.
The festival also included a grand procession of Valli Devasena Sametha Subramaniaswamy and Velliswarar on the temple float. On the concluding day, the utsava idol of Sri Vaikunta Perumal was also taken out on the float in the temple tank. Temple authorities ensured smooth arrangements, including provisions for drinking water and prasadam distribution. Police personnel and volunteers actively managed the large crowd.
As per temple legend, Kamakshiamman was sent to Earth to perform penance, leading to the temple not having a dedicated shrine for Lord Shiva. Instead, Sri Vaikunta Perumal, the deity of the nearby Perumal temple, is regarded as her brother, patiently awaiting her divine union.
The Annual Sufi Festival at Mount Road Dargah
The 450-year-old Dargah on Anna Salai hosted its annual festival in honor of Sufi Saint Hazrath Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi (R.A). The festival commenced on February 1 with the traditional flag hoisting, marking the onset of Shabaan, the sacred month preceding Ramzan.
According to Syed Mansooruddin, a hereditary trustee of the Dargah, the flag was hoisted following the sighting of the new moon. On the 15th day, the event featured a sandal pot procession, accompanied by Quranic recitations and the application of sandalwood paste on the saint’s samadhi.
Devotees partook in the festival by bringing smaller flags to tie onto the flagpole, while others tied Sheharas, traditional floral headpieces worn by grooms during weddings. Chief Hereditary Trustee and Muthawali Syed Mazheruddin oversaw the arrangements, ensuring a seamless event. The dargah was illuminated with decorative lights, and the festival concluded with a soulful Qawwali performance, enhancing the spiritual ambiance.
Conclusion
The Thai Poosam festival and the Mount Road Dargah’s Sufi homage showcased the city’s vibrant religious and cultural diversity. While the Vadapalani and Mangadu temples resonated with devotion and grandeur, the Sufi festival at the dargah reflected deep-rooted traditions of reverence. These celebrations continue to uphold the city’s rich spiritual heritage, drawing thousands of devotees each year.
