Theni, Tamil Nadu: The Bhagavathi Amman Temple in Kambam, Theni district, celebrated the traditional "Manjal Neerattu Vizha" (Turmeric Water Festival) with great zeal as part of the temple's yearly celebrations.
The vibrant festival, observed every year during the Tamil month of ‘Aippasi’, began about 15 days ago with the ‘Saartuthal’ ritual and will continue today and tomorrow with a series of traditional events.
On Tuesday morning, the highlight of the celebrations, the ‘Manjal Neerattu’ (turmeric water) ceremony, took place following a special temple procession. Hundreds of drums filled with turmeric-mixed water were carried on tractors as part of a colourful rally that started from Park Grounds and passed through Kooladevarmuku, Naattukkal, and KVR Temple Street before reaching the temple.
Devotees, dressed in bright yellow attire, smeared turmeric powder on one another’s faces and joyfully splashed turmeric water throughout the procession route.
A flock of devotees participated in the event Following the ‘Manjal Neerattu Vizha,’ the evening rituals will include the ‘Bhagavathi Amman Aazhaippu’ and ‘Maavilakku Edduthal’ ceremonies. Tomorrow’s events will feature the ‘Mulaippari’ procession and ‘Vandi Vedam’ performances, marking the grand conclusion of the temple’s annual celebrations.