Devotees drawing the car of the Sri Andal Temple during the ‘Aadi Pooram’ festival in Srivilliputtur in Virudhunagar district on Friday.
| Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY
The holy town - Srivilliputtur witnessed the Car festival of the famous Sri Andal Temple with grandeur on Friday.Marking the ‘Aadi Pooram’ celebrations, the temple commenced the festival on August 6 with the hoisting the holy flag. Every day, as a part of the events, the presiding deity was taken in processions and special pujas including ‘thirumanjanams’ were performed by priests.The Car festival, held today, which is the highlight of the ‘Aadi Pooram’ celebrations, witnessed a huge turnout of devotees. Chanting “Govinda.... Gopala...” the devotees, who had assembled in large numbers, pulled the Car along the four Mada streets.Virudhunagar District Collector N. O. Sukhaputra presided over the ceremony in the presence of two Ministers - Jagatheeswari and Keerthana and others at around 9 a.m. Police personnel ensured that the Car moved safely and reached the origin point. Traffic was diverted, and the district administration had declared a local holiday.According to the myth, Srivilliputtur is considered the most sacred spot and ‘Pooram’ is the star of the deity Sri Andal; the festival is celebrated with pride in the region.In the neighbouring Irukkankudi near Sattur in the district, the ‘Aadi’ festival was celebrated at the ancient Sri Mariamman Temple in a grand manner. The trustee Ramamurthi and other priests had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees at the shrine. Published - August 14, 2026 09:31 pm IST
