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Public processions are a vital aspect of the large-scale temple festivals celebrated annually to honour a temple's presiding deity. (Hamm-Uentrop, temple festival of Sri Kamakshi Devi, June 2004) |
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A movable image of this deity is mounted on a processional cart, called ter, which is pulled or pushed by male and female devotees. (Hamm city, temple festival of Sri Sithivinayakar, August 2002) |
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The processional cart of the Sri Sithivinayakar temple in Hamm, which owns a spacious backyard hall in a busy and densely populated part near the main station. Being the temporal abode of the God Ganesha great care is taken to turn it into an appropriate and impressive vehicle. The temple-like structure is typical of South Asian temple carts. Note the pile of coconuts to be given as offerings.(August 2004) |
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In the German capital of Berlin, male devotees of Sri Murukan smash coconuts in honor of the god just before the start of the procession through the neighbouring streets of Kreuzberg. His movable image had been brought out of the temple housed in the basement of the building to the left and placed on his chariot. His main priest shares his cart to be able to constantly worship him.(Temple festival, August 2003) |
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This profusely decorated image of Lord Murukan, imported from Sri Lanka, is made of six metals and represents the deity in his form as six-faced god (three faces are visible). He carries a lance (vel) and a banner displaying a cock, both of which are his special insignia. He is accompanied by his two wives positioned to his right and left. (Berlin, August 2003) |
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The processional image of Goddess Muthumariamman is carefully dressed and decorated inside her temple in a suburban part of Hanover by the officiating priest Sri Kumar. Then, the image is taken out into the courtyard and shown to the crowd eagerly waiting to view this auspicious sight (darshan) of the deity. (Temple festival, August 2000) |
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Goddess Muthumariamman leaving the Hanover temple compound. These buildings originally belonged to a small factory. The cart of the goddess is preceded by devotees carrying insignia and a banner giving the name of the temple in Tamil and German. (August 2000) |
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The processional cart with the goddess of the Hanover temple has been pulled to the main street. Since tram and trucks must wait until the procession turns off into the next side street, official permission for this public ceremonial circumambulation of the temple is given only for Sunday afternoons, a time when there is usually less traffic. (August 2004) |
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Sometimes one or two images of other gods are taken out in addition to the main deity of the temple. They are carried on the shoulders of eager devotees who have invariably donned traditional dress, and who take turns carrying the images. A splendid processional umbrella underlines the high status of the represented deity. (Hamm 2004) |
