Puducherry: Chief Minister N Rangasamy today dragged the chariot of Sengazhuneer Amman temple in Veerampattinam coastal village on the occasion of its annual car festival, which dates to the 19th century. Assembly Speaker V Sabapathy, leaders of various organisations and presentatives of associations were among those who pulled the chariot along with the Chief Minister.
Traditionally, the Lt Governor drags the chariot. But the present incumbent Virendra Kataria is recuperating in hospital after bypass surgery. Rangasamy and others later offered worship at the sanctum sanctorum and launched free food distribution under a scheme of the temple.
The annual car festival takes place every year on the fifth Friday of the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August).