VELLORE: The temple town bedazzled devotees with illuminated earthen lamps and serial lights within minutes after the Maha Deepam was lit atop Annamalai hills at around 6 pm on Friday. The ritual marked the culmination of the ten-day festival, which began on November 26 with a flag hoisting ceremony in front of the sanctum of Sri Arunachaleswarar.
Lakhs of devotees poured into the temple town since daybreak to have darshan of the Maha Deepam, which is believed to be Lord Siva himself in a column of fire. The Aganda Deepam was also lit simulatneously.
The Maha Deepam would be lit for the next 10 days, using ghee and cotton wicks.