Nurungukal...contd..

    Villagers from far and near attended the Temple festival in large numbers.Railways made special arrangements to serve the influx of passengers. Extra counters to issue tickets were put up. Even special trains were run on the main day.

     It was a custom and a sort of offering to take small processions in each hamlet, accompanying an oracle[poosari]. One or two drum beaters, a pipe player and a few ladies carrying small bras vessels decorated with neem and mango leaves on their heads would lead the procession ,chanting praise of the deity. All of them including the poosari were smeared with turmeric powder. The poosari will be in a trance chewing a preparation of bengal gram. He will move in rhythm to the tune of the beating of the drum and precariously balancing a bigger bras pot with neem leaves.  Some team came with many other players carrying  kavadi or attractive karagams. I was told that the festival was mainly to bless the married women with a child. And so in each procession there used to be some women seeking mother hood. On the final day when these processions reach the temple the poosarys  who are in trance would bless the women and it was their belief that their prayers would be fulfilled by the Amman.

       The pulling of the Chariot was an event to watch. Almost all partook. The deity would be placed on a decorated pedestal on the chariot and prasadam would be thrown to the crowd. There used to be a rush to catch it. Chanting of mantras, beatings of drums, the sound of bugle and pipes and the shouting of the devotes would make the atmosphere enchanting. As the illuminated Chariot move slowly against the setting sun and reach the entrance of the temple the crescendo would raise then die gradually showering joy to the onlooker which can not be described in words but has to be experienced.. contd...