Devotees thronged Tirupparankundram, the first of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, to witness the ‘mahadeepam’ being lit atop the hillock near the Uchipillayar Temple on Wednesday. The ritual marked the culmination of Karthigai Deepam festival, following the Kanda Sashti festival, at the temple.
Temple priests performed special pujas before the metal container carrying the wick was taken to the Uchipillayar Temple. The wick was prepared by people brought from Tiruvannamalai, which is famous for Karthigai Deepam lit atop the hill. As the Full Moon came into view, Tirupparankundram brightened up with houses and commercial establishments lining up clay lamps and candles. Devotees also visited the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and other Murugan temples in the city on the occasion. Lamps decorated the Golden Lotus Tank at the Meenakshi temple. Special pujas and abishekam were performed at all temples on the day.
