Tiruchendur, Sept 1:
The 12-day Avani festival at the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur began on Monday with the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony, drawing a large number of devotees to the famous seashore shrine.
The temple opened at 1 am for the festival, followed by Viswaroopa Darshan and Udaya Marthanda Abhishekam. The festival flag was hoisted at 5.15 am amid chanting of “Arohara” by devotees.
Several important religious events have been scheduled as part of the festival. On Monday evening, Appar Swamigal will be taken in a procession on a golden chapparam through the streets as part of the Uzhavarapani event.
At night, Sri Bali Nayagar, accompanied by Astra Devar, will be taken in a palanquin through the temple’s nine streets.
The fifth day of the festival, September 4, will feature Deeparadhana at Kudavarai Vayil in Melakkoyil at 7.30 pm. Swamy and Amman will subsequently be taken separately in golden peacock vehicles through the streets.
The golden chariot procession will be held on the morning of September 5, followed by a silver chariot procession in the evening.
On September 6, the Urugu Sattai service of Lord Shanmuga Peruman will be held at 5 am. Later, the deity will be taken in various chapparams as part of the day’s celebrations.
On September 7, Swamy will be taken in a large silver chapparam in the morning and later in the Pachai Kadaisal Chapparam.
The main chariot procession is scheduled for September 9 at 7 am.
The festival is expected to attract devotees from across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring States, with elaborate arrangements being made for the various processions and rituals.