Su J

Back in school days, the 1st wed of March is always a half-day at school..wait.. that was when my school wasnt working in shifts.. reason being the annual car festival(தேர் திருவிழா) of 'Koniamman' temple, often heralded as the guardian temple of the city. Sources say that the Coimbatore was earlier called 'Koniamman pudur' and some traversing over a period time thru a lot of changes, the city is now called Coimbatore..

Last sunday me been there to the temple with mom for the 'mavilaku' function.. a special diya made out of jaggery and rice...offered to the deity. This is typically celebrated for a week with various rites like "1008 diyas", "mavizhaku" etc.. along with some classical music functions happening daily.

Highlight of the week-long function is the CAR festival that usually happens during the 1st wed of March and that closes the week-long celebration. The deity is proceed around the streets (for a few Kms) in a mammoth chariot/car(தேர்) which is abt 50 ft tall with stone wheels of abt 2-3 m in diameter often pulled by ropes.. Koniamman தேர் is one of the tallest ones in TN.

Lots of ppl seeking blessing pull the ropes of the cararound the streets. Since the car is taller than the elec poles, the wires are removed temoved temporarily and the electricity is cut around the time the procession takes place. Huge amt of ppl throng the streets trying to get a glimpse of the deity.

Nice celebration, too bad I miss it after I moved to blore.. Anyways I went the temple and saw the தேர் being built while coming back. Dont miss this when u r at cbe during the 1 week of March by any chance.