Thousands of devotees witnessed the much-awaited kumbabishekam of the Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple in Palani on Friday. The last time kumbabiskeham was held at the temple was in 2006.
The temple town wore a festive look, when the kumbabishekam was performed between 8 a.m. and 9.30 a.m., at the third holy abode of Lord Muruga, amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns and associated rituals. As per agama sastra, the holy event is to be performed once in 12 years. The chanting of ‘Arohara’ filled the air.
The Palani temple is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Lakhs of people thronged the temple on Friday, while many more watched the event live on the 16 LED screens, the authorities had installed across Palani. Live-streaming of the kumbabishekam was also available on YouTube. A total of Rs 16 crore was earmarked for organising the event, including the `5 crore spent on the gold and silver works at the temple.
Earlier in the day, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments PK Sekar Babu flagged off the event in the presence of Minister for Rural Development I Periyasamy and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R Sakkarapani. Priests poured holy water on the ‘raja gopuram’ and ‘golden tower’ of the temple between 8 am and 9 am, while kumbaibesagam for the satellite temples followed.
South Zone DIG Asra Garg had deployed over 3,000 police personnel for regulating crowds at the event. Temporary medical centres, toilets, and drinking water facilities were also arranged near the temple.
