Trichy: The vibrant and spiritually charged Chithirai Car Festival, also known as Viruppan Thirunal, was celebrated with immense devotion at the renowned Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchi, drawing thousands of devotees who thronged the streets chanting "Govinda! Govinda!"

On the ninth day of the annual festival, in the early hours of the morning, the processional deity Namperumal emerged from the sanctum at 5:15 AM, adorned in a ceremonial parrot-green silk garment gifted from the Srivilliputhur Andal Temple. Aligned with the auspicious Mesha Lagnam, Namperumal ascended the towering temple chariot (Thiruther), which was pulled through the four main streets of Srirangam from 6:30 AM amid great enthusiasm and devotion.

The previous days also saw remarkable processions. On April 25, the eighth day of the festival, Namperumal was taken around the Chithirai streets on a resplendent Golden Horse Vahanam, offering divine blessings to devotees. On April 24, the seventh day, he was carried in a Thiruchivigai (palanquin) and gave darshan at the Nell Alavu Mandapam. The deity then visited the Thayar Sannidhi (shrine of his divine consort), received the sacred Thirumanjanam (holy bath), and returned to the sanctum.

The atmosphere throughout Srirangam was charged with devotion, with chants of "Ranga! Ranga!" echoing in the air. Police made elaborate security arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.

Meanwhile, in Woraiyur, another part of Tiruchi, the Chithirai Car Festival was also celebrated at the Vekkali Amman Temple. A large crowd gathered to pull the decorated temple car through the important streets of the area. Upon returning to the temple base, special pujas were offered to Goddess Vekkaliamman. Many devotees carried milk pots and performed 'abishekam' as part of their offerings and prayers.