Religious fervour, creativity, colossal offerings mark Vinayaka Chaturthi celebration in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu celebrated Vinayaka Chaturthi with widespread religious fervor, featuring traditional rituals, temple processions, and creative idol displays. Iconic shrines like the Kapaleeshwarar and Meenakshi Sundareshwar temples hosted elaborate ceremonies, including special offerings and elephant processions.
Why it matters
The festival highlights the deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions in South India, serving as a significant social and communal event for millions of devotees.
A divine aroma of flowers, fresh banana leaves, and steaming jaggery filled the air across Tamil Nadu on Monday, as millions of families brought home clay idols of Lord Ganesha to mark Vinayaka Chaturthi.
From bustling home pujas to grand heritage temple rituals and towering neighborhood pandals, the state resonated with chants of "Pillayar" - the most affectionate and commonly used Tamil name for Ganesh, and devotional music.
The devotees queued at dawn outside the state’s iconic shrines for special Maha Abhishekams and elaborate floral adornments (Alankarams).
At the historic Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai, festivities began with a early-morning Ganapathy Homam. The Narthana Vinayagar idol was anointed with holy water, milk, sandalwood, and honey before being dressed in a glittering gold kavacham (armor), drawing thousands to the flower-lined Mada streets.
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