Madurai: Two small spears of gold and copper have been taken in the annual ritual procession from Karaikudi to Puni Temple for the last 422 years lost during this year’s event on January 14.
Nagarathar (Chettiars) from Karaikudi, Ramanathapuram, Pulajottai, and Sivaganga have made a pilgrimage carrying a 3.5 cm spear since 1601.
This year they reached Natham on January 13 and stayed at the traditional Mandapam attached to the Perumal Temple there.
Two Spear in a hurry was made to save.
The spear pilgrimage is stored in the Sanctum Sanctorum from the temple in the silver box.
But they lost the next morning.
Police Natham was investigating.
When pilgrimage cannot be continued without a spear, two in a hurry to make and the procession continues after delay.
The procession usually reached Palani the day before ThaiPoosam, which fell on January 18 this year, and remained at the foot of the hill.
Pilgrims perform rituals at Dandayutapani Temple a day after ThaiPoosam.
This year when the trip was delayed, pilgrims walked all night to spill time.
For the rest of the year, the spear was stored at the Ancellest House of Kumarappan Chettiar of Nerkuppai.
It’s from there that pilgrimage is taken every year.