Chennai, July 16, 2013: The tall buildings around the ancient Kandakottam Sri Kandasamy temple on Rasappa Chetty Street in arterial Flower Bazaar, here, seemed to serve as vantage points for residents in the area to watch maha kumbhabhishekam at close range on Monday.

Though the street leading to the temple was completely occupied by thousands of devotees, those living around the 400-year-old temple were able to witness the grand event from rooftop. The consecration was performed amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras. Cries of “Kandanuku Arogara” filled the air as the priests sprinkled the holy water on those who had gathered around for the occasion.

The temple, which is a familiar landmark in the area, is being administe­red by the Muthu­ku­ma­ra­swamy Devasthanam. The rajagopuram and  four vi­m­anams were renovated for the maha kumbhabhishekam.

The moolavar Sri Kandaswamy, brought fr­om Thiruporur is two-feet high and Sri Valli and Sri Deivayanai are on either side. The uthsa­va moorthi of the temple, which is lo­cated on about eight acres area, is known as Sri Muthukumaraswamy.

The present stone structure, which replaced the original temple, was ra­ised about 200  yea­rs ago. State school education minister Vaigai Chelvan, Hindu religious and charitable endowments department commissioner P. Dhanapal and chairman board of trustees Muthu were among those who participated in the function.

Source: Deccan Chronicle, DT. July 16, 2013.