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| Thiruvarur temple and the chariot. kumbakonam.com |
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| Wooden base of Aazhi ther, Tiruvarur. thehinducom. |
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| Carvings in the Wooden base,Aazhi ther,TN flickr.com/ |
The Thiruvarur Aazhi Ther (Temple Car) festival, renowned for its grandeur and historical significance, was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Held annually between March and April, this 25-day-long festival attracts lakhs of devotees, posing a significant risk of spreading the virus in such mass gatherings. The decision to cancel the festival, including the float festival (Theppam), was necessary to prevent a potential health crisis in the densely populated town of Thiruvarur.
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| Jagannath temple, Puri, chariot in the making indiatvnews.com |
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| Puri jagannath temple, Odisha chariots, .flickr.com |
The festival along with this historical temple chariot faced periods of turbulence in the past. From 1748 to the early 20th century, managed by private committees following Agama Sastras, a major fire accident broke out in 1926 leading to the temporary halt of the festival. During this incident, a courageous craftsman named Muthu Kothanar saved the idols from the burning chariot, a heroic act remembered by many.
After the fire, the festival came a long halt for four years while a new chariot base was constructed. Despite this setback, the festival continued uninterrupted until 1948. Again it was then paused for over two decades for unknown reasons, until the efforts of the late Chief Minister Karunanidhi and philanthropist V.S. Thyagaraja Mudaliar revived it in 1970. They introduced modifications, including hydraulic wheels and a brake system engineered by BHEL, Tiruchirapalli, ensuring the chariot could safely bear its 300-ton weight and stop carefully on the street during the Therottam..
Recent Developments
Since 2010, the Panguni festival at Thyagaraja Swamy Temple has been held annually without interruption. The unique features of the chariot, such as the 30-foot-tall wooden base, its carefully carved images of gods the themes from the Hindu epics and the 6-foot-tall kalasam (finial) fixed atop, continue to amaze devotees and visitors alike. The chariot remains a testament to the region's rich cultural heritage and engineering prowess.
The legacy of Azhi Ther festival remains intact. The festival is a significant cultural and religious event that reflects the rich traditions and history of Tamil Nadu. The grand chariot, with its intricate carvings and massive size, symbolizes the town's rich cultural history, religious significance and heritage. Despite challenges of modernity, , the festival's legacy endures and will ensure its continuation for generations to come.
https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/divinity-on-wheels/article26732272.ece
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/05/azhi-ther-chariot-of-tiruvarur-and-1926.html
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