We are delayed at the Draupadi amman temple, but get here just at the right time – there’s a different family sponsoring the event and a small group in attendance. The rites are very Vedic and similar to the Chetty Koyil but simpler and shorter. The flag makes a pradakshina around the temple (which means going through the Ghousiga temple and coming out on the east side) and is hoisted. The kaappu is tied for 3 or 4 people.
Prasadam is kesari and chundal. It’s all done by 1130 am. We spend some time talking to a man, who lives a few streets down. He told us this amman was in a well that is still there in the plot just facing/east of the temple itself. Ghouse had a dream about it and had someone get the amman out. He also told us that the Ellaiamman temple was frequented in Rajaraja chola’s time – for the big Villianur Iswaran temple, this was Ellai.
The Murugan moolavar was apparently made by the same shilpi who crafted the Thiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari.