Woman from Iceland celebrates her 60th birthday in Tamil Nadu temple

Thanjavur: Charmed by the rituals in a Shiva temple, Ana aka Annapurani from Iceland celebrated her “Mani Vizha” (60th birthday) in a traditional way at Brahmapureeswarar temple, a ‘Nakshatra Sthalam’ for Avita Nakshatram (star), at Korkai near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district on Tuesday.

She is one among the 22 foreign tourists from America, South Africa, Iceland, Italy, Dubai, Korea, Japan and Australia who are on a pilgrimage to 27 temples corresponding to the 27 ‘Nakshatrams (constellations)’ situated in Tamil Nadu.

Brahmapureeswarar temple at Korkai is representative of ‘Avita Nakshatram’ and was built by Kulothunga Chola-III.

After visiting 23 temples in Kanchipuram, Madurai and Nagapattinam districts, the tourists came to 24th temple at Korkai where Ana celebrated her 60th year completion, sources told DC over the telephone.

As many as 11 Vedic scholars performed ‘Ganapathy Homam, Ayush Homam Navagraha Homam, Nakashatra Homam, Pancha Suktha Homam’ and the like.

‘Gho-Poojas’ and 51 ‘Kalasa Poojas’ were also performed, praying for Ana’s health. The village people also participated in the ‘poojas’.

Parthiban, who led the tourist party, said that the pilgrimage began on January 17 and all the tourists are astrologers from various countries.

The tourists will visit other ‘Nakshatra’ temples in Kumbakonam area and conclude their pilgrimage on February 8.