The Panguni Festival is on at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the entire area surrounding the temple is all fest and colour. I haven’t had a chance to go there yet but a friend of mine did and he has let me share his post and some pictures here.

Quoting the kutcheribuzz:

The ten day annual Brahmotsavam of Sri Kapaleeswarar temple is a grand celebration for the people in and around the city. The deity is taken around the mada streets in different vahanams and the festival leads up to Thirukalyanam – the divine wedding of Lore Shiva with Parvathi – on the tenth day.

Quoting my pal, Chandra, from his Mylapore Mardigras post:

The Annual Panguni festival at Kapali temple began on March 24 this year with the traditional flag hoisting in the temple premises.

Shiva along with Parvati are taken on a procession along the four maadaveedhis each day at night. During these days Mylapore air is filled with a special concoction of soothing music emanating from the traditional wind instrument (Nadhaswaram), recitation of Sama vedam and hymns from various puranams by Oduvars. The burning of incense on the side and strong scent of jasmine from the sidewalk vendors makes this place spiritually and culturally invigorating.

The festival has a little something for every age group:

The vahanas for the procession change every day. Traditionally it starts with Suriya prabhai and Chandra prabhai on the first two days of the festival. Adhikaranandhi on the third, Vrishabaha vahanam on the fifth, the car on the seventh, procession of 63 Nayanmars (Arupathimoovar) on the eight day draws scores of people from all over the city. The final day concludes with the celebration of the traditional marriage between Shiva and Parvathi (falls on the day of Uthiram star).

The festival is a big 10 day entertainment feast for all the kids and elderly. Within the temple premises oldies throng to hear the concerts and spiritual lectures, while artist from the nearby villages perform folk arts to entreat people on the streets. The little ones go around the streets and bring back a handful of items that include balloons, watches, sugar candy, flutes in exchange for a small change from their piggy bank.

The Panguni festival is on from March 24 – April 3, 2007. Go here for the schedule.

Thanks to Chandra for the pictures and details.