Thiruvaadipooram-the most colorful day among all festivals in Srivilliputtur.Right from 5am in the morning thousands throng to the keel ratha veedhi and have a darsanam of Andal and Mannar on the ther till about 8am.Sri Andal and Mannnar ride the majestic thiruther which is among the largest of it's kind in the world
The Temple car of Srivilliputtur is called the full car or the Muzhu ther
This car was presented by Srimad Brahmamsa bhattar piran Ramanuja Jeeyar of
Nanguneri(Vanamamalai Mutt)
Built around 150 years ago this is an example of wondorous and artistic woodwork consisting of about 1000 exquisitely carved statues of godesses and other dieties made of teak and other rare varietes of wood and had nine gaint wooden wheels,81 arithemetically arranged pillars and 5 decks .On the temple car an imprint is present which says 'sali vagana sagaptham' kollam 1025.
Much of this has been reduced and refurnished with steel wheels 4 in number in 1986 at the cost of 7 lakhs to facilitate relatively easier movement through the town streets as during the times of the wooden wheels the car used to take a very long time even months to complete the procession.The height of the car is 37.5 feet and with the wooden superstructure it stands well over 70 feet
The Permanent location (Nilai)of the Ther is the lower car street(keel radha veedhi) The procession which usually sarts around 9am takes more than a day and a half to complete a round along the 4 ratha veedhis - the four streets adjoining the temple(keel radha veedhi,kacheri street, mel radha veedhi and Vadakku radha veedhi).After completion of the thiruther purappadu Andal and Mannar come to the Thiru poora Nandavanam where there is thirumanjanam for Andal and Mannar
If you are more interested about this thiruther utsavam you may also read one of my articles