Hundreds participate in Panguni Peruvizha

CHENNAI: At 6.30 pm on Thursday evening, curtains of the kalyana mandapam in Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore opened for devotees, marking the beginning of ‘Iraivan Iravalar Kola Vizha’, which is part of the ongoing annual Panguni Peruvizha of the temple. Hundreds of devotees thronged the temple and worshiped the deity Pitchadanar with the priests performing pujas. Thereafter, the idol was taken for circumambulation around the ‘parharams’.On the importance of Iraivan Iravalar Kola Vizha, Srinivasa Sasthri, an Vedic expert narrated an event from Hindu mythology. According to him, the head of Lord Burma stuck to Lord Shiva’s hand, after the latter separated it from Burma’s body. As Lord Shiva found it difficult to relieve himself of the head, he prayed to Adiparasakthi seeking solace, he added. Stating that the Adhiparasakthi advises Lord Shiva to perform a ritual by begging to rid himself of his sins, he said, “In turn, Adhiparasakthi took the avatar of Annapoorani.” He said, Iraivan Iravalar Kola Vizha is celebrated to mark this event, wherein devotees must offer something on this auspicious day. “That’s why devotees offer more money to the holy hundial during the festival,” he added.Arupathumoovar Vizha Attracts CrowdsMeanwhile, as many as 10 lakh people participated in the ‘Arupathumoovar Vizha,’ a major attraction of the 10-day Panguni celebrations, in which the idols of the 63 Shaivite saints was taken around the streets of Mylapore in a colourful procession on April 4.