At least 10 lakh devotees visited Kancheepuram over the past 10 days.

During the festival, a 10-foot idol of Athi Varadar, made of special fig wood, is lifted from under the temple tank. The last time the idol was taken out was in 1979 and prior to that in 1939. The idol will be kept at the temple’s Vasantha Mandapam for 48 days. The idol will be kept in a reclining position for the first 40 days and in a standing posture for the last eight days.

Kancheepuram town is abuzz with pilgrims from different parts of the country and remains crowded 24X7, said a district official. “We have made special arrangements for the welfare of devotees. Two new bus stops have been introduced near the temple and thousands of police personnel have been deployed round the clock,” the official said.

Due to the heavy footfall, Collector P Ponnaiah ordered the extension of worship timing at the temple by two hours from Wednesday. The temple remains open for devotees from 4.30 am to 10 pm. The festival, which began on July 1, will end on August 18.