2017 Karthigai Deepam Festival Day One—Late Morning: Panchamoorthy Silver Vimana Procession

After the Flag Hoisting ceremony, the Panchamoorthies each on their own palanquin are carried around the Flagpost five times in the order: Vinayaka, Murugan, Arunachaleswarar, Shakti and Chandikeswara. After circumambulation, each of the Gods are carried through the Temple which they then leave through the Thitti Vassal Gate, adjacent to the Raja Gopuram on the east side of the Temple. 

Afterwhich the five Gods are placed on their respective vahanas which are decorated most beautifully. The Panchamoorthies then give darshan to devotees in front of the Alankaram Mandapam.  After darshan the Gods on their respective vahanas  are pulled by tractor in procession around the perimeter streets (mada veehis) of Arunachalaeswarar Temple.

The Panchamoorthies giving darshan in front of the Alankaram Mandapam

The Panchamoorthies on procession of the mada veedhis