Chennai: Thamirabharani Maha Pushkaram, the riverside festival that takes place once in 144 years, is under way right now along the banks of the Thamirabharani in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.
The festival began this morning at Papanasam, and is being celebrated from Papanasam till where the river joins the sea at Kunnakayal in all the 144 padi thurais (bathing ghats). The river runs for 185 km and people gathered along the route from early morning to have a holy dip.
According to reports, the Pushkaram is celebrated when Guru Bhagwan moves from Thulam rasi to Vrichika rasi.
People from different parts of the country are converging at Tirunelveli for the festival and so, 5,000 police personnel have been posted to take care of law and order.
Governor Banwarila Purohit is expected to visit Papanasam tomorrow to take a holy dip in the river there.
Southern Railway is running special trains, and special buses are also being operated to clear the extra rush to Tirunelveli.