The annual Festival stars with Kodietram on the sixth day following the New Moon in the month of Adi and continues for twenty five day. The deity goes round the inner precincts at noon and the outer precincts in the evening daily. Lord Skanda or his vel, as the case may be, does the rounds accompanied by the consors Valli and Theivayanai. The Vahanams (Vehicles) are of a rich variety ranging from Silver Peacock. Silver Swan, Silver Rishapam, the Cobra, the green Peacock, the House etc. The Kailaasa Vahanam the manjam and the Ther are special attractins.
On the tenth day, Muthucumaeraswamy and on the Twenty Fourth day Arumugaswamy, accompanied by the consorts do the rounds. All the other days, the Vel is the main deity. The water- cutting takes place on the twentyfifth day. The Vel, the consorts Ganesha and Sandeswara Grant dharsan to thousands of devotees. The divine wedding marks the last day of the Festival.
The festival does not mark mere pomp or pageantry. It has a spiritual significance too. It symbolically suggests the precepts of the saiva doctrine. Fasting, Meditation Prayer Singing of devotional hymns and a whole range of penances are supposed to wean the devotee away from worldly pleasures and direct him towards God.
The festival has its spiritual connotations. The Vel is gnanasakthi; Valli-ichasakthi; Theivayanai-Kriyasakthi. The hoisting of the flag denotes creation; the rounds protection, the silent festival obscuration, the Ther involation and Teertham grace.
by:S.Pathmanathan
Thanks a lots for your photos.