Shani Peyarchi festival held in Karaikal

Puducherry, Dec 27: A large number of devotees thronged the Dharbaranyeswarar temple at Thirunallar in Karaikal region of the Union Territory to worship the deity on the occasion of Shani Peyarchi, the transit of zodiac sign Sagittarius to Capricorn.

Dharbaranyeswarar temple is the only temple for Lord Shani in India and devotees used to throng it on Saturdays and Sundays.In the wake of Covid 19,it was doubtful whether the festival will take place or not as thousands of devotees throng the temple posing a health threat .One person moved the Madras High court seeking a ban on the festival.However, the court permitted the festival adhering all Covid safety norms.

In this backdrop, the administration gave a direction that only devotees who booked in advance and those coming to a certificate of RT PCR test to prove that they are Covid free will be allowed to enter the temple for Darshan.This resulted in agitations in Karaikal and also among those booked in advance as adequate time was not there to get tested.Again the Madras high court was moved and the court gave a ruling that Covid free certificate is not mandatory.

Karaikal district administration had made all arrangements to conduct the festival safely.

Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy,his cabinet colleagues and Speaker Sivakolunthu among others worshipped the deity this morning.