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Aalitherottam celebrated in Tamil Nadu
by Jaikumar

         Tiruvarur (Tamil Nadu): Lord Shiva's devotees participated in Aalitherottam or a chariot car procession on Monday at the Thyagarajaswamy temple amidst loud chants and hymns here. Organised in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvarur district, Aalitherottam is Asia's biggest chariot procession and draws a large number of Hindu devotees from across the country. After congregating at the Thyagarajaswamy Temple, which is located 450 kilometers from Chennai, the devotees took the chariot across the district. The chariot had four decorated horses in front. It was made of special wood and, said was 96 feet in height and weighed around 300 tonnes. Devotees used long ropes to pull the chariot along its designated route. It was brought back on Tuesday. This Tamil Nadu centric festival is similar to Puri's renowned chariot festival. The procession passed through East Mada Street, and South Mada Street before reaching the Kamalalayam tank by noon. Devotees chanted "Thyagesa" (Lord Shiva) while taking part in the procession. "We are in a festival, which is very famous. It is nearly 96 feet high, and unimaginable," said Sundar, one of the devotees. "I come here to watch this spectacular festival ever year. It is amazing to see something so big in the streets," said Parvathi, another devotee. Tiruvarur District Collector G. Sundaramurthy also graced the occasion by holding the rope of the chariot at the start of the procession. Tiruvarur Aalitherottam is an annual festival that usually falls on Panguni Uthira as per the Tamil calendar.
- April 24, 2007

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