Flag Hoisting - Deepam Festival Day One

The days before the Flag Hoisting at the Arunachaleswarar Temple marking the start of the Deepam Festival, the streets around the Big Temple, get a quick make-over in preparation for the many upcoming processions. In the below photograph, the surface of Thiruvoodal Street is being readied for the various radhams (cars, chariots) that will be circumbulating outside the Temple's massive perimeter.









Hosing the Radhams




Organising the Murti's umbrellas




29th Day November, 2011
Morning: Dwajaroghanam (Hoisting of festival flag)


Tuesday, 29th November marked the Flag Hoisting on the first day of the 2011 Karthigai Deepam Festival as celebrated at the Arunachaleswarar Temple. The previous three days involved celebrations and processions originating at the Durgai Amman Temple, which is the only Temple other than Arunachaleswarar Temple which is officially connected to the Karthigai Festival.




Circumbulation of the Siva Sannidhi




The God and his Consort



Hoisting Festival Flag



Flag Hoisting




Darshan of Murtis outside Temple



Circumbulation of Gods
outside Temple Perimeter