04:21Thousands of devotees, dressed up in vibrant attires to imitate goddesses, flocked to the town of Kulasekarapattinam, southern Tamil Nadu, to celebrate the Dasara Festival on Saturday, praying for blessings of the deity Mutharamman.
Footage shows the worshippers wearing colourful gowns and garments to disguise as the goddesses, dancing vigorously to the music, holding pots of coal and marching to the Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple. They were later seen gathering at the shrine, praying and carrying out a procession at midnight to respect to the deity.
Over 4,000 police officers were reportedly stationed in and around the site to control the massive crowd.
"For a profitable business, healthier life and disease-free lives, we are coming here and attending this festival every year," shared Meyanatthan, a devotee.
"Twenty years before there wasn't much crowd for this festival, but experiencing the power of the goddess, thousands of devotees started coming to this festival every year and the goddess blessed everyone," he continued.
Rayappan, another worshipper, added that 'the deity is very happy' when devotees put on the disguise of goddesses and pray for health and blessings in life.
The festival culminates in a grand finale marking the triumph of good over evil with the Goddess slaying the demon King Mahishan.
Goddess Mutharamman, which is regarded as the main deity of Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple, is believed to protect the villagers from harm.
Kaleidoscope of colour! Thousands dressed as goddesses celebrate Dasara for luck and health in southern Tamil Nadu
Thousands of devotees, dressed up in vibrant attires to imitate goddesses, flocked to the town of Kulasekarapattinam, southern Tamil Nadu, to celebrate the Dasara Festival on Saturday, praying for blessings of the deity Mutharamman.
Footage shows the worshippers wearing colourful gowns and garments to disguise as the goddesses, dancing vigorously to the music, holding pots of coal and marching to the Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple. They were later seen gathering at the shrine, praying and carrying out a procession at midnight to respect to the deity.
Over 4,000 police officers were reportedly stationed in and around the site to control the massive crowd.
"For a profitable business, healthier life and disease-free lives, we are coming here and attending this festival every year," shared Meyanatthan, a devotee.
"Twenty years before there wasn't much crowd for this festival, but experiencing the power of the goddess, thousands of devotees started coming to this festival every year and the goddess blessed everyone," he continued.
Rayappan, another worshipper, added that 'the deity is very happy' when devotees put on the disguise of goddesses and pray for health and blessings in life.
The festival culminates in a grand finale marking the triumph of good over evil with the Goddess slaying the demon King Mahishan.
Goddess Mutharamman, which is regarded as the main deity of Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple, is believed to protect the villagers from harm.
Thousands of devotees, dressed up in vibrant attires to imitate goddesses, flocked to the town of Kulasekarapattinam, southern Tamil Nadu, to celebrate the Dasara Festival on Saturday, praying for blessings of the deity Mutharamman.
Footage shows the worshippers wearing colourful gowns and garments to disguise as the goddesses, dancing vigorously to the music, holding pots of coal and marching to the Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple. They were later seen gathering at the shrine, praying and carrying out a procession at midnight to respect to the deity.
Over 4,000 police officers were reportedly stationed in and around the site to control the massive crowd.
"For a profitable business, healthier life and disease-free lives, we are coming here and attending this festival every year," shared Meyanatthan, a devotee.
"Twenty years before there wasn't much crowd for this festival, but experiencing the power of the goddess, thousands of devotees started coming to this festival every year and the goddess blessed everyone," he continued.
Rayappan, another worshipper, added that 'the deity is very happy' when devotees put on the disguise of goddesses and pray for health and blessings in life.
The festival culminates in a grand finale marking the triumph of good over evil with the Goddess slaying the demon King Mahishan.
Goddess Mutharamman, which is regarded as the main deity of Arulmigu Mutharamman Temple, is believed to protect the villagers from harm.