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10 lakh devotees witness Tiruvannamalai Deepam

Special Correspondent

Excellent security arrangements; special buses, trains operated

AGANDA DEEPAM: Devotees witnessing Karthigai Deepam at Sri Arunachaleswara Temple in Tiruvannamalai on Tuesday. — Photo: S. S. Kumar

TIRUVANNAMALAI: About 10 lakh devotees witnessed the annual Karthigai Deepam festival at Tiruvannamalai on Tuesday.

The nearly one lakh devotees, who thronged the Arunachaleswara temple, chanted "Annamalaiyarukku Arogara," as the `aganda deepam' was lit in the temple immediately after the processional deity of Ardanaareeswara was taken to the quadrangle outside the sanctum sanctorum at 6 p.m.

After the `aganda deepam' was lit, the Annamalai karthigai deepam was lit atop the 2,663-foot-high Annamalai hills on a huge kopparai (cauldron), containing three tons of ghee.

As the clouds hovered over the hills at that time, the deepam was visible only after a few minutes.

Immediately, thousands of people lit agal vilakkus (earthen lamps) in their homes. After the deepam was lit, the entire temple precincts were illuminated with electric lights, and devotees burst crackers.

Devotees started thronging the town from the early hours of Tuesday from different parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring States, thanks to the special buses and trains operated for the festival.

By afternoon, it was a sea of humanity on all roads leading to Tiruvannamalai. The girivalam path was flooded with devotees.

The police, led by S.R. Jangid, Inspector General of Police, Law and Order (North), made excellent security arrangements.

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