Pandhakkaal Erection Ceremony for the Grand Deepam Festival at Arunachaleswarar Temple

The grand Deepam Thiruvizha festival at the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Thiruvannamalai is fast approaching. As part of the inaugural ceremonies, a special Abhishekam was performed on the first wooden pole, known as the ‘Pandhakkaal’ in Tamil. This wooden pillar marks the start of the erection of the thatched shed (Pandhal in Tamil) for the Deepam festival.

The Pandhakkaal was carried by Pichagar Raghu and ceremonially erected opposite the Rajagopuram, the main temple tower, after a special Deeparadhanai (lamp offering) was performed for the temple’s holy chariots.