Devotees celebrate "Vinayaka Chaturthi"

Tiruchirapalli, Aug 27 (UNI) ''Vinayaka Chathurthi'', the birthday of Lord Ganesha is being celebrated with traditional and religious fervour in various temples here today.

Special poojas, Abhishekams and Maha Ganapathy Homams were performed on the occasion.

Hundreds of devotees congregated at the histoic ''Uchchi Pillaiyar ''temple, situated at about 273 feet high on a hill in the heart of the city.

A large number of devotees thronged the famous ''Arulmigu Manicka Vinayakar shrine'' at the bottom of the hill to offer prayers.

In both the temples, giant ''kozhukkattai'', a favourite food of Lord Vinayaka weighing 30 kilograms a piece was offered to the deity.

A report from Sri Karpaga Vinayaka Temple at Pilliyarpatti in Sivaganga district said thousands of devotees visited the ancient temple to offer prayers.

Temple Officials said they had made elaborate arrangements to handle the heavy rush at these temples.

Police had beefed up security in these temples and all devotees were screened with metal detectors, they added.

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