Vinayakachathurthi celebrated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rush of devotees was witnessed at the Ganesha temples in the city on Monday, the Vinayakachathurthi day. Special poojas, abhishekams, Ganapathy homams and cultural programmes were held on the occasion.

Some temples celebrated the Chathurthi on Sunday. Traditionally, Vinayaka Chathurthi is observed when Chathurthy coincides with sunrise. Such a celestial coincidence happened on Monday.

The Pazhavangadi Ganapathy temple in East Fort celebrated the Chathurthi on Sunday with special poojas and homams. Special panchavadyam, nadaswaram, dance programmes and procession were held on the occasion.

Ashtadravya Mahaganapathy homam, under chief priest Nelliyode Vishnu Namboothiri, took place at Vazhuthacaud Sree Mahaganapathy temple on Sunday. The celebrations, which featured temple art forms such as sopanasangeetham, patakam, sheetankan thullal, and nangyarkoothu, concluded on Monday.

A triple-thayambaka by Mattannoor Shankarankutty and sons Srikant and Sriraj was a special item among them.

Meanwhile, Ganeshotsavam being organised by the Shiv Sena and the Ganeshotsava Trust in connection with Vinayakachathurthi entered the fifth day on Monday. The organisers said that Ganesha idols were being kept and prayers offered at around 51 centres besides thousand of homes in the city.

The idols will be taken on a procession and will be immersed in the sea at Sanghumugham on September 1.

Several cultural competitions for students are being conducted in connection with Ganeshotsav.

Mithun Murali (Mar Gregorius School, Pravachambalam), emerged winner in the Quiz conducted for UP school students. Abhishek P. (Army Children’s School, Pangode) emerged the runner-up.

In the LP school section, Parvathy K and Aparna G. from Army Children’s School, Pangode, got first and second prizes respectively.