Nallur Kandasamy festival begins

Jaffna special corr.

The Car festival of the Nallur Kandasamy Kovil began yesterday at 7 a.m.

Devotees from different parts of the peninsula converge at the temple early yesterday to witness the Vasantha Mandapa Pooja. Thereafter, the Murugan deity along with Ganesh was taken in procession around the inner courtyard of the temple and was taken to the outer courtyard and placed on the decorated chariots. Chariots took off from the front courtyard at 7 a.m.

The day was observed with devotion and piety by all Hindus in the peninsula. They abstained from consuming non vegetarian meals during the 25 days festivals. Devotees awaited the Car and Theertham festivals to fulfil their vows. Women carried Earthen bowls lighted with camphor on their heads singing devotional songs.

The highlights of the day's ceremony were the Kavadi dance by hundreds of devotees and devotional bajan singing by males and females.