Cuddalore, June 21 -- A grand chariot procession of the Aani Thirumanjanam festival is being held with immense religious fervour and splendour at the world-renowned Chidambaram Natarajar Temple in Tamil Nadu, considered the Akasa Sthalam (ether element shrine) among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams.

The ninth-day highlight of the festival, the elaborate chariot procession, is currently underway, drawing tens of thousands of devotees from across Tamil Nadu and other states. The Panchamurthy deities Lord Vinayagar, Lord Murugan, Lord Natarajar, Goddess Sivakamasundari, and Lord Chandikeswarar are being taken out in a grand procession on five ornately decorated chariots through the four major temple streets.

According to temple traditions, the f...