We didn’t think we’d make it here in time for the Ambu Poduthal (அம்பு போடுதல்), but delighted to arrive and find the puja barely starting, following the usual movements, much like in the other temples. It’s not Jnanavel Swami’s charge of the temple these 15 days, but he was there nonetheless, as he is traditionally given this task. He brought the spear out with a focused and purposeful look, dashed towards the plant, stabbed it, moved back and repeated the process thrice. On the third time, he slit the banana plant down the middle. The tree was cut and made to fall. The Vel was returned to the deity. We left soon after as there was no sign of a purappadu here or any movement outside, to try to catch Ghousiga’s Murugan also in the act.
*Technically, the ambu is an arrow–but most temples have a spear or a trishulam in the place of arrows, or they use both as with Nandhikeswara.