Thousands of devotees have flocked to the famous Kapaleeshwarar temple in the Mylapore region, in the Indian city of Chennai, for the annual "float festival”.
Known locally as Theppam, the festival begins with the idols being taken out of the temple on golden palanquins, escorted by elephants, horses, musicians and devotees in a grand procession.
Next, hundreds of devotees holding two big ropes get the raft moving. Gradually, the lit-up raft carrying the deities moves around the edges of the pool so that worshippers can see their gods as they pass.
The raft, after completing a round of the pool, is then placed in the centre of the lake for some time.
As part of the decorations, the seven-floored temple tower is decorated with lights.
A similar tradition is also observed at the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai city.
The festival is truly a sight for sore eyes and videos from the Mylapore and Madurai temples have gone viral on social media.
Namaste 🙏🌹
— Ulagavaayan (@ulagavaayan) January 28, 2021
Mylapore Kapaleeshewarar temple Theppam Festival 1st day (28-01-2021)... 🙏🌹#Mylapore #Mylaporetheppam #Mylaporefestival #Theppam #Kapaleeshewaratemple #Kapali #Kapaleeshewarar #Floatfestival #Thaipoosam pic.twitter.com/rLZk8IfxQE
Temple Chariot (Theppam) Festival tonight (Thaipusam, day of prayers and penance) at Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai. @sanjeevsanyal pic.twitter.com/jruzLSmoAK
— Sundar (@SunDudez) January 28, 2021
#InPics: Float festival being conducted on Thursday at the Karaneeswarar Temple tank in Saidapet, Chennai on the occasion of the annual #ThaipusamFestival.
— The Weather Channel India (@weatherindia) January 29, 2021
(📸: C Suresh Kumar/BCCL) pic.twitter.com/s2E5uwci7J
Float festival in Madurai. Devi and shiv will be in a float structure come around the pond ..have good darshan from your house.. you can see the video from outside the pond and one from inside the float structure pic.twitter.com/ilFSLOB9CZ
— V PARAMAGURU (@VParamaguru1) January 29, 2021
Tamil Nadu: Devotees gathered for 'Float festival' celebrations at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai. (28.01.2021) pic.twitter.com/ZMsBau1eul
— We For News (@WeForNews) January 29, 2021
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