For the Boyar group, it’s a break from tradition
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For 25 years, 48-year-old E.D. Vijay and 1,000 different members of the Boyar group have been concerned in the protected operating of the pancha ratham (temple automobile pageant) throughout ‘Karthigai Deepam’ festivities. However, the district administration cancelled the automobile pageant this yr in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, depriving the group of a chance to rejoice.
Pancha ratham is held on the seventh day of the ten-day ‘Karthigai Deepam’ festivities. Five automobiles, together with the maha ratham (massive automobile), are taken round the mada streets — a route that’s round 4 km-long.
Safe passage
For generations, the Boyar group, residing in the temple city, has been concerned in guaranteeing the protected operating of the automobiles. They be certain the automobile doesn’t run astray, injuring folks or damaging property en route.
“We first place a square block of wood, weighing close to 50 kg, beneath the giant wheel of the temple car. We then place a 15 ft log, weighing close to two tonnes, on it and 15 men stand on it. Using it as a fulcrum, we propel the vehicle,” stated Mr. Vijay.
Iron chains
While ascending or descending a slope, the automobile’s pace is managed with heavy iron chains. “At other temples, woven coir ropes are used to pull the car. But here we use iron chains. More than 100 people are used to lift it,” stated N. Velmurugan, one other member of the group.
The maha ratham is near 140 ft excessive and weighs 200 tonnes, stated Mr. Vijay. “Making it turn using the logs is a challenge, and it is also important to ensure that the car does not change direction and cause accidents. Every year, someone or the other sustains a fracture while placing the logs,” stated Mr. Vijay.
It takes hours for the automobiles to finish the circumambulation of the mada streetsthat have each steep and flat surfaces. “Days before the festival, we identify the obstacles on the car’s path, and inform the local administration and the temple management about them. They remove them to ensure smooth running of the cars,” stated S. Jayashakti, one other member of the group.
The complete group seems ahead to the pageant. “People from our community living in other States, and even abroad, come to Tiruvannamalai to take part in the festivities. The police provide us security while we place the logs, and an ambulance also accompanies us,” he stated.
“We have requested the temple and the administration to at least clean the maha ratham this year and make sure it is maintained well,” added Mr. Vijay.
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