On the eleventh day of the Chithirai festival (April 29, 2026, Wednesday), the grand temple chariot procession commenced early morning between 4:00 am and 4:30 am, drawing large numbers of devotees as the deity was taken through the four Masi streets. Ratharohanam took place between 5:15 am and 5:45 am at Meloolakkanam, followed by the ceremonial pulling of the chariot at 6:30 am, along with special Pradosham rituals. Continuing the day’s celebrations, the Sapthavarana Chapparam procession is scheduled for the evening at around 7:00 pm, with the deity again taken through the same streets and expected to return to the temple by approximately 10:30 pm.
Key Locations Involved
Four Masi streets, inner temple mandapam, Meloolakkanam, procession routes, temple entry points
Organizations and Participants
M. Muthambala Mudaliyar Mandagapadi, Ramanathapuram Sethupathi Maharaja Mandagapadi, temple administration, priests, Vedic scholars, devotees
Major Highlights and Impact
Morning chariot procession, evening Sapthavarana Chapparam, darshan opportunities for devotees, Pradosham rituals, large-scale public participation
Spiritual Significance and Interpretation
Festival signifies divine dissolution (Samhara), represents liberation of souls, chariot symbolizes macrocosm-microcosm unity, eight-layered Veeratta form concept
The temple administration stated that the combined morning and evening rituals mark the spiritual culmination of the eleventh day celebrations and urged devotees to cooperate for their smooth conduct.
