The custom may appear peculiar but still in vogue for the past several centuries. Villagers in and around Tiruchi district headed towards Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple -- not by buses or trucks but by the conventional mode of transport -- use of bullock carts.
The belief is that the pilgrimage by the residents brings about prosperity to the whole village. Hence, barring the sick and the aged persons, all residents arrive at Srirangam, travelling about 20 to 30 km by bullock carts, taking four days for the pilgrimage. “We left the village on Thursday night and will return home on Monday morning,” says M. Sekar, of Alagapuri Mauliparapatti village near Thogaimalai in Karur district.
The way they settled at the coconut grove indicated their experience in the pilgrimage. Shortly after reaching the grove, the menfolk untied the bullocks, offering fodder and water. Women members started cooking, using large-sized culinary vessels.
“We observe a marked growth and development in our family,” says Dharmadurai another resident of Karur district. Increase in agricultural productivity, matrimonial alliances and blessing for couples with children are some of the important blessings they have derived in the past five years, after their last visit in 2011. They offer paddy or cows to the presiding deity Lord Ranganatha, as a mark of thanksgiving.
Although they visit the temple individually on other occasions, it is only now that all villagers assemble at the temple in the Tamil month of Chithirai once in five years.
Residents from about a dozen villages, including Vadacherry, Podhavur, Thogaimalai, Keezha Veliyur, Mela Veliyur, and Kavalkaranpatti are currently on their pilgrimage. They would tonsure their head and visit the temple on Sunday and would reach home in the early hours of Monday.
