Devotees throng Vaishnavite shrines

A large number of devotees thronged the Perumal temples (vaishnavite shrines) in southern districts on Saturday.

With the Tamil month (Purattasi) having begun, September 19 was the first Saturday, where the devotees had lined up for darshan at the famous Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (also known as Then Thirupathi near Srivilliputtur) here in Virudhunagar district.

The Brahmotsavam, which started on Sept 15 in the shrine, witnessed huge turnout on Saturday from 3 a.m. onwards, when Thirumanjanam (abishekam) was performed to the presiding deity. At 5 a.m., the priests conducted ‘kalasanthi’ and special pujas and aarthis were conducted on the occasion.

It is considered that devotees, who could not go to the world famous Thirupathi Temple, would visit the Srinivasa Perumal here and give their offerings, which was the reason the temple was known as ‘Thenthirupathi’ .