Kamakshi Amman Temple Masjid festival begins with flag hoisting

Tamil Nadu: The flag hoisting ceremony began at the Kanchipuram Kamakshi Amman Temple (Masithiruvizham) on Saturday morning (February 21).

This temple, one of the Mahashakti Peethas, traditionally celebrates a grand Masithu festival every year. To mark the beginning of this year’s Masithu festival, a flag bearing the image of Goddess Kamakshi was placed on a palanquin and carried around the temple premises in a procession by temple officials.

Following this, the festival deity, Lakshmi Saraswati, accompanied by the deities, ascended from the temple’s decorated hall to the hall adjacent to the Kamakshi flagpole. Special lamps were also lit.

Then, the flag bearing the image of Goddess Kamakshi was hoisted on the temple’s golden flagpole, and special lamps were lit for the flag.

During the flag hoisting ceremony, colorful flowers were scattered. Archery competitions were also held.

The flag hoisting ceremony took place in the presence of Satya Chandrashekharendra Saraswati Swami, the youngest head of the Kanchipuram Shankara Matha.

On the occasion of the Masithi festival, the Goddess will be taken through the city’s royal streets in different vehicles every morning and evening.

The flag hoisting ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Kanchipuram Shankara Matha Senior Manager N. Sundaresh Iyer, Manager Arvind Subramanian, Kanchi Kamachi Shankara Matha Welcome Committee Coordinator Kanchi Jeevanandam, and others.

After the flag hoisting ceremony, the Goddess rode a silver bull chariot through the royal streets.

The festival’s main event, the silver chariot, will take place on March 1st. The Vishwaroopa Darshan will take place on March 4th, followed by the Vadhakatri festival.

The temple trustees and administrators of the Shankara Matha are preparing for the festival.