Tue Feb 18 17:16:21 UTC 2025: ## Grand Thai Poosam Celebrations and Sufi Saint’s Festival Draw Huge Crowds in Chennai
**Chennai, February 18, 2025** – Thousands of devotees flocked to Chennai temples and the Mount Road Dargah this month to celebrate Thai Poosam and the annual festival for Sufi Saint Hazrath Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi, respectively.
The Thai Poosam festival at Vadapalani Andavar Temple saw over one lakh devotees, with nearly 8,000 women carrying milk pots and 1,000 devotees carrying ‘Kavadis’. The temple’s deity was paraded on a peacock vahana and adorned with golden ornaments. Similar grand celebrations, including a three-day float festival, took place at the Kamakshiamman Temple in Mangadu, featuring processions with various vahanas and special pujas. Temple officials and authorities ensured smooth crowd management and provided essential services like drinking water and prasadam distribution. The legend surrounding the Kamakshiamman temple, which lacks a Shiva shrine, was also highlighted.
Meanwhile, the 450-year-old Mount Road Dargah celebrated its annual festival, commencing with a flag hoisting ceremony on February 1st, marking the beginning of Shabaan. The festival included a procession with a sandalwood pot, Quranic prayers, and the application of sandalwood paste to the saint’s samadhi. The Dargah was beautifully illuminated, and a Qawwali program was held. The events were overseen by hereditary trustees and officials, ensuring the smooth and respectful conduct of the celebrations.
First Piper 