Trial run of temple golden chariot on Aug 24

Tiruchirapalli, Aug 16 (UNI) The trial run of the newly built golden chariot of Sri Jembukeswaran Akilandeswari Temple at Tiruvanaikovil here will be held on August 24.

Temple sources told UNI here today that the much-awaited project was completed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The 13.5-ft-high chariot was made out of 13.5 kg gold, of which ten kg was taken from the temple reserves and the rest purchased from the Samayapuram Sri Mariammam Temple by paying Rs 31 lakhs.

The chariot, made of teakwood and copper plates, was covered with specially made golden plates, they said, adding that a three-day special homam and special pooja would be performed from August 22 on the temple premises in connection with the trial run.

State HR and CE Minister K R Periyakaruppan and his Cabinet colleagues K N Nehru and N Selvaraj were expected to participate in the trial run.

The new urchava idols (procession deities), donated by a devotee, would be taken in a procession during the temple festival and other important occasions of the temple.

UNI