Lakhs throng Vallalar temple for 'Jothi Darshan'

More than one lakh devotees thronged the Sathya Gnana Sabha temple at Vadalur in the district to have "Jothi Darshan" on the occasion of Thai Poosam festival, today.
People from across the country and from Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and USA had darshan of the 'Jothi' (flame) after the seven curtains were removed one by one.
There is no idol worship in the Sathya Gnana Sabha temple founded by saint Ramalinga Swamigal also known as Vallalar and only the 'Jothi,' which is shown six times on Thai Poosam day in the Tamil month of Thai.
Ramalinga swamigal established the Sathya Dharma Sala on May 23, 1867 to feed the poor all the days and the oven he lighted that day is still burning to continue the great charity.

The 'jothi darshan' was started by Vallalar in 1872.
Minister for Industries MC Sampath, Minister for Food Kamaraj, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Minister S Ramachandran were among others who had 'darshan' of the 'Jothi' at 6.00 AM today.