Theru festival in Maskeliya

S. Duraisamy Maskeliya group correspondent

The annual Panguni Uttara Theru Festival of Sri Shanmuganathar Swamy Devastanam at Maskeliya will be held on March 29. Three Therus will be taken in procession along the streets of Maskeliya Town.

Sri Shanmuganathar Swamy with Sri Valli and Sri Theivanai will be kept on a big theru, Sri Viyyagar, on a small theru and Sri Muthumariaamman on a small theru. All three chariots will be decorated before leaving the main temple.

On March 27, from the bottom of Sripada, pure water will be brought and from 10.00 a.m. a procession will be held round the town with pots of water to the temple. A special pooja will be held on March 28 and idols of Gods and Goddesses will be taken in procession inside the temple round the Main Kovil.

Special poojas will be held on March 29 from 8.00 a.m. and 108 Sangabishegam will be conducted. Dana will be distributed to devotees in the temple at noon. After 8.00 p.m. idols of Gods and Goddesses will be placed on the three therus and will be taken round the streets in the town from the Kovil premises.

The water cutting ceremony and Poongawanam thiruvilaz will be held on March 30. Gnana Vairaver pooja will be conducted on March 31 and the Theru Tiruwila will end with it.