In anticipation of the chariot festival at Karamadai Aranganatha Swamy Temple, the Pettathammam invitation ceremony was conducted on February 22, featuring various rituals to honor the deity and welcome her to the temple from Pettathammam Hill.
Coimbatore: On the eve of the much-awaited chariot festival at Karamadai Aranganatha Swamy Temple, the traditional Pettathammam invitation ceremony was held on February 22. The event started with a series of rituals on Pettathammam Hill, where the deity was anointed with sandalwood paste, milk, kumkum, honey, and water in a special abhishekam and poojas.
Subsequently, the deity was escorted in a procession from Pettathammam Hill to the Karamadai Aranganatha Swamy Temple. Devotees lined up along the route performed special poojas, broke coconuts, showed camphor, and prostrated at the feet of the deity to seek blessings.
The Pettathammam invitation is a significant prelude to the temple's annual chariot festival, which sees a large gathering of devotees from various parts of the region. The ceremony not only marks the beginning of the festival activities but also reinforces the cultural and spiritual bond among the community members.
Subsequently, the deity was escorted in a procession from Pettathammam Hill to the Karamadai Aranganatha Swamy Temple. Devotees lined up along the route performed special poojas, broke coconuts, showed camphor, and prostrated at the feet of the deity to seek blessings.
The Pettathammam invitation is a significant prelude to the temple's annual chariot festival, which sees a large gathering of devotees from various parts of the region. The ceremony not only marks the beginning of the festival activities but also reinforces the cultural and spiritual bond among the community members.