On the morning of the 9th day of
the 10-day Karthigai Deepam Festival Lord Chandrasekhara is mounted on the
Purusha Meruga Vahana.
This vahana known in Tamil as
“Purushamirugam” (man-beast) has the body of a lion and the head of a human
being. The sphinx-like creature supposedly has the power to avert evil
influences and bad luck. It is also believed to be able to take away the sins of
devotees when they enter a Temple and for this reason is often found in a
strategic position at Temple gateways and near entrances to the inner shrine.
The form of the “purushamirugam”
adorns lamps used in puja ceremonies (deeparadhana) and plays an important role
in daily and yearly rituals in Shiva temples.
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| The Deities stopping at the Yagasala Shrine for pottu adornment |
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| Lord Chandrasekhara on Purusha Meruga Vahana |
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| Lord Vinayakar on Rat Vahana |
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| Lord Chandrasekhara on Vahana in procession around the Temple mada veedhis |
