Villianur Temple Car Festival
Date : Mid - May, 2011
Venue : Villianur Temple at Villianur, Pondicherry
The Villianur Temple Car Festival, also known as Brahmotsavam, is the annual festival of the Thirukameswarar Kukilambal Temple, at the quiet village of Villianur, in Pondicherry. This ten-day festival, a favourite of the people of the Union Territory, is celebrated on the full-moon day of mid-May.
Temple car refers to the 15-meter high, decorated rath or chariot in which the deity - Thirukamemswara Kukilambal - is placed in order to take it out as a procession throughout the neighbourhood. The chariot, decorated beautifully with colourful flowers in order to make it a fitting vehicle for the deity, is carried forward with ropes pulled by hundreds of devotees.
For those who are unable to pull the rope for various reasons, merely touching it is considered highly auspicious. Many of them also sponsor curd, rice, sandal paste and buttermilk to refresh the thousands that attend the festival. The belief among the people of Pondicherry and the neighbouring states is that this act of charity, in honour of the deity, ensures the fulfilling of their wishes.
Venue : Villianur Temple at Villianur, Pondicherry
The Villianur Temple Car Festival, also known as Brahmotsavam, is the annual festival of the Thirukameswarar Kukilambal Temple, at the quiet village of Villianur, in Pondicherry. This ten-day festival, a favourite of the people of the Union Territory, is celebrated on the full-moon day of mid-May.
Temple car refers to the 15-meter high, decorated rath or chariot in which the deity - Thirukamemswara Kukilambal - is placed in order to take it out as a procession throughout the neighbourhood. The chariot, decorated beautifully with colourful flowers in order to make it a fitting vehicle for the deity, is carried forward with ropes pulled by hundreds of devotees.
For those who are unable to pull the rope for various reasons, merely touching it is considered highly auspicious. Many of them also sponsor curd, rice, sandal paste and buttermilk to refresh the thousands that attend the festival. The belief among the people of Pondicherry and the neighbouring states is that this act of charity, in honour of the deity, ensures the fulfilling of their wishes.
