Arubathumoovar Festival (March-April)

Literally, 'Arubathimoovar' refers to the 63 saints of Shiva canonised for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints adorn the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they are carried in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore.

This festival is supposed to be celebrated in order to honor the Saivaite Devotees namely Nayanmars who are 63 in numbers. The procession is celebrated by taking Nayanmars in a "Pallaq" which is highly decorated with ornaments and flowers, facing Lord Shiva and Parvati and proceeding further. The Moovar "Appar", "Sundarar", "ThirugyanaSambandar" will be carried a unique Pallaq. Goddess Karpagambal and Lord KapaleeshwarSwamy will be dressed in beautiful saree decorated with colourful fragance flowers. Lord Ganesha is taken first in the festival followed by Kolavizhi Amman. Kolavizhi Amman will lead the festival because this temple is supposed to be ancient than Kapaleeshwar Temple. SingaraVelar Swamy will accompany Lord KapaleeshwararSwamy and Karpagambal. Mundakanni Amman will be beautifully decorated with lot of colours and ornaments. People used to keep their kids on the pallaq in order to get blessing from the Goddess. Vairaswamy and Thiruvalluvar will also be participating in this festival.

Huge gathering takes place at Mylapore. Lot of sweets, savouries, juices, buttermilk are served to the pilgrims. At each stage, there is Aarti and offering flowers to the God and Goddess by a small angel flying from top of the decorated shed. Its nice to see the ancient tradition being followed. People from nearby villages will also attend this function.