CM, thousands witness Float fest at Karaikal after 40 yrs

Karaikal, Feb 21 (PTI): Puducherry Chief Minister VVaithilingam and Opposition leader A M H Nazeem were among thelarge number of devotees who witnessed the float festival ofNithyakalyana Perumal temple here, conducted after 40 years.

The festival was conducted last night as part of theannual brahmotsavam. Idols of Perumal and Thayaar were placedin the float and taken in procession around the tank. Earlier,special abhishekam and poojas were performed.

The tank belonging to Karaikal Ammaiyar temple has for longserved as one for Nithyakalyana Perumal temple.Accordingly,the float festival of Ammaiyar temple used to be held in theTamil month of Pankuni and that of the other temple in Masi.

As the tank fell into disuse due to encroachments, floatfestival of both temples were stopped nearly 40 years ago.

The Tourism Ministry had sanctioned Rs 3.47 crore aid fora renovation project three years ago. Work started in 2009 andthe first float festival of Ammaiyar temple was held in 2010.