Historic Trincomalee Pathirakali Ambal chariot festival held

[TamilNet, Thursday, 24 March 2005, 20:20 GMT]
Large number of devotees thronged at the historic Trincomalee Pathirakali Amman Temple to witness the annual chariot festival held Thursday morning. Three chariots one for Pillaiyar, other for Murugan and the third big one for Goddess Pathirakali Amman began their annual procession around the temple with devotees singing hymns. According to historians, Pathirakali Ambal Temple was built during the reign of King Rajendra Cholan, the First in the 11th Century A.D.


Men devotees doing "angaprathachchanam" rite in three rows

Sri S.Ravichandrakurukkal, Head of the Pathirakali Amman Temple Thevasthanam and Chief Priest led the chariot festival.

Hundreds of men devotees rolled on the ground (Angaprathachanam) behind the main chariot in which the Goddess Kali Ambal was taken fulfilling their vows. Hundreds of women devotees performed the rite "adiyalithal" following "Angaprathachanam".

Men devotees dragged the two chariots carrying deities Pillaiyar and Murugan. But women devotees carried the chariot in which Goddess Kali Ambal was taken, sources said.


Three chariots being carried by devotees

Pooja being held to chief deity Goddess Pathirakalai Ambal in the chariot	Devotees throng Trinco Pathirakali Amman at Chariat Festival