Mon Sep 22 13:27:20 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
Artisans in and around Kulasekarapattinam and Veerapandiyapattinam, Tamil Nadu, are experiencing booming business crafting ornamental arms, costumes, and accessories for devotees participating in the Dasara festival. This festival, particularly known for its Soorasamharam climax where devotees dress as various deities, attracts large crowds. Demand has surged in recent years, forcing artisans to work long hours and expand their operations. They are receiving orders not just for Dasara, but also for other festivals like Mayana Kollai, and supplying shops across southern districts. This unique artistic tradition is integral to the vibrant Dasara celebrations, allowing devotees to fulfill vows through elaborate transformations.
**News Article:**
**Tamil Nadu Artisans Overwhelmed by Demand for Dasara Deity Costumes**
*Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu* – As the Dasara festival kicks off in Kulasekarapattinam, local artisans are working around the clock to meet the overwhelming demand for ornamental arms, crowns, and other accessories needed for devotees to embody deities and mythical figures. The festival, famed for its *Soorasamharam* climax where thousands dress up as gods and goddesses, has seen a surge in popularity, placing immense pressure on these skilled craftspeople.
“The demand for these materials has significantly increased in the past five to seven years,” says Bakkiyaraj, a building contractor turned costume artisan from Veerapandiyapattinam. Bakkiyaraj, who has been in the business for over 20 years, employs around 25 artisans and plans to increase staff to meet the demand. He notes that orders are now arriving months in advance, and even extending to other festivals like Mayana Kollai. “We begin around 8 in the morning, which continues till the next day early morning, with small breaks.”
Another artisan, Isakki Raja from Udangudi, a welder by profession, is focused on making metal crowns and tridents. “I took to this business during the Dasara season as the number of people wanting these items is increasing every year,” he said. Most people customise their crowns and trident according to their preferences.
The unique tradition of devotees transforming into deities, primarily as a devotional offering at the Mutharamman temple in Kulasekarapattinam, is at the heart of this booming trade. Following a 48-day fast, devotees don elaborate costumes and detailed makeup, often fulfilling vows made in gratitude for answered prayers. The artisans not only fulfill direct orders but also supply shops throughout southern Tamil Nadu, playing a crucial role in bringing the vibrant Dasara celebrations to life.
First Piper 