On Wednesday, the day after the car festival, Mylapore witnessed the grandeur of the Arubathumoovar festival. Amidst chants of “Kapali”, blowing of conches and trumpets and playing of drums, the utsava idols of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite Saints), led by idols of Lord Kapaleeswarar, Goddess Karpagambal, Murugan, Vinayaka, and Chandikeshwara were taken out in the procession around the four Mada streets.
The festival is happening on such a large scale after a two-year break due to the pandemic. “The crowds were less than usual. But the temple authorities and the police had organised it all very well. Distribution of food items, including fruits, biscuits, ice cream, toffees, vada, water, juice and buttermilk happened aplenty in the 4-km radius around the temple,” said T. Raghunathan, a resident of Chithra Kulam.
