Thousands witness consecration of Coimbatore's Marudhamalai temple after 12 years

Coimbatore: Thousands of devotees congregated at the Marudhamalai Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Coimbatore on Friday for the consecration ceremony, which was performed with traditional rituals after a gap of 12 years. The last consecration took place on March 18, 2013.

Pujas for the kalasams of the main deity, Vinayagar, Patteswarar, and Karivaradharaja Perumal were performed by Sivachariyars in the presence of Perur Adheenam Marudhachalam Adigalar, Siravai Adheenam Kumaragurubara Swamigal, temple trustees, and officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department at 8.45am, amidst devotees chanting in praise of Lord Muruga.

After the consecration, theertham (holy water) was sprinkled on the devotees through water pipes and even sprayed using a drone.

Devotees from Mettupalayam, Annur, Sulur, and Pollachi arrived at the foothills of the temple as early as 5am to witness the sacred event.

To prevent overcrowding on the hill, devotees were allowed in batches from the steps leading to the temple. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed to manage and regulate the crowd.

Those without HR&CE passes ascended the steps on foot and, after witnessing the consecration and worshipping Lord Muruga, were transported back down the hill in mini-buses arranged by the department.

"The crowd was less compared to the Thaipoosam festival held in February, as arrangements were poor back then. This time, police security was beefed up and water bottles were distributed to all devotees," said a devotee from Pollachi.