Tamil Nadu - Dindigul   

17-day temple festival ends on a lively note

Staff Reporter

GRIPPING SPORT: Youths climbing the pole at the temple festival in Natham on Tuesday. — PHOTO: G. KARTHIKEYAN

DINDIGUL: Thousands of devotees witnessed the `vazhukku maram' (slippery pole) climbing and fire-walk events, conducted at the annual festival of Sri Mariamman Temple, at Natham on Tuesday.

After special pujas, a 60-feet high wooden pole was installed in the afternoon. Earlier, residents of Gandhi Nagar in the town prepared the pole for the popular rural sport. A tall tree was cut and the bark peeled off to make the exterior smooth. The pole was polished meticulously and smeared with aloe juice and castor oil. Repeated coating of juice and oil was made to make the pole surface slippery. After a weeklong process, the pole was ready.

Having enjoyed the traditional right, Kamaraj Nagar residents, both young and the old, took part in the event in large numbers. The participants struggled for more than three hours to reach the top. They used wet towels and cotton clothes to climb the pole.

After a prolonged struggle, a youth reached the top and clinched the prize money tied to the tip of the pole. The prize money was Rs.100 and a bunch of bananas. The organisers honoured the winner.

Later, thousands of people took part in fire-walk festival. The 17-day festival concluded with this ceremony.

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