Aadi Pooram festival at Andal Temple here began with the hoisting of temple flag on Sunday.

The flag bearing the depiction of Garudazhwar was hoisted by the temple priests following special puja and amidst playing of nagaswaram.

The nine-day festival marks the Star Pooram of Tamil month Aadi, which is the birth star of Andal. The festival would witness the procession of the presiding deities, Andal and Lord Rengammanar, on gold palanquin, Simma vahanam, Sesha vahanam, Anna vahanam, Elephant vahanam, glass palanquin, flower palanquin, during the nights.

The highlight of the festival is the car festival which is scheduled on July 28.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Andal Temple P.R. Venketrama Raja, Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Madurai, Mariappan, Assistant Commissioner M. Nagarajan, Temple Executive Officer S. Sakkaraiammal, were among those who were present.

A huge pandal has been put up on the temple premises where several cultural programmes including music, dance, spiritual elocution, bhajan would be held.