Grand reception for Chola-era idols

When the idols reached the entrance of the temple, they were draped in silk clothes and decorated with flowers before being taken on an open palanquin by devotees.

A large number of people showered flowers on the idols while they were carried inside the temple. Artistes played traditional percussion instruments and wind instruments. Classical dance was also performed. When the idols reached the second entrance tower, the Raja Rajan Vayil, Sivachariars offered a “Poorna Kumbha” reception to them.

Later, they were taken around the sanctum sanctorum before being taken inside the temple where special pooja were performed to the main deity of Lord Siva in the presence of the idols. Later, they were kept on a pedestal in an wooden enclosure in the Artha Mandapam of the main hall of “Peruvudayar”, the main deity’s shrine.

Earlier, the idols, which were transported in a car, were first taken to the Chidambaram Nataraja temple since it was considered as the shrine where Raja Raja I was crowned as the emperor of the Chola kingdom. Then they were taken to Kumbakonam where a grand reception was given to them before they were presented before the court hearing the idol theft case.

The court ordered the handing over of the idols to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department.