Date:18/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/18/stories/2006051819840500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Thousands witness car festival in George Town

Special Correspondent

The car was renovated after about 23 years

CHENNAI : The annual car festival of the Sri Varadharaja Manavala Mahamuni Temple in George Town was conducted here on Wednesday.

The car, which remained abandoned for about 23 years, was renovated by the Varadharaja Manavala Mahamuni Bhaktha Jana Samithi in 1999 and taken around George Town and Broadway. Since then, the event coinciding with a similar festival at the Kancheepuram Varadarajaperumal Temple, is conducted every year without a break.

On Wednesday, hundreds of devotees pulled the car while thousands witnessed the procession. The car was taken through the narrow lanes of George Town, negotiating at least half a dozen turns in areas such as Varadha Muthiappan Street, Kotwal market and Acharappan Street, according to Mr. Aparanji, a volunteer. The car festival was the highlight of the 13-day annual celebrations, which concluded on Wednesday, he added.