The best time to see the Ther is at 6.15 am when it is still relatively cool and the crowds are a little less. Not being so well planned, I made it at 9.30 by when the sun decided to give us of his best. The Ther was then on RK Mutt Road –
I was reminded of the song Theruvil vArAno
The car turned the corner into North Mada Street amidst much drama
This is the day when Kapali, wielding a bow and arrow, sets out in a chariot driven by Brahma to destroy the three cities. He is therefore TripurasamhAra. The appliqué work on the cloth covering the chariot depicts various episodes of Shiva Leela.
It was only today that I noticed the four pairs of DvArapAlaka are in four different colours – red, green, blue and yellow.
Compared to the large chariot, moving the Karpagambal and Singaravelar, as also Ganesha and Chandikeswarar chariots is relatively easy. Women traditionally push the Karpagambal Ther
Mylapore becomes a veritable crafts bazaar during this festival, a spontaneous coming together of vendors. The streets being free of vehicular traffic while the procession is on, adds to the market feel. On sale are earthenware and porcelain, palymyra products and glassware. It is usually customary for old Mylapore families to buy some earthenware on the Ther day.