Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple - Festivals

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple - Festivals
The temple has festivals almost throughout the year. In the Tamil month of Chithirai (April) Tamil new year is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Vaikasi Visakam festival is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Avani annual festival is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Aipasi Amavasya is celebrated. In the Tamil month of karthigai, karthigai Virutham is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Thai, Thaipoosam festival and Pongal festival is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Maasi, Annual greater festival is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Panguni, Uthiram festival is celebrated. Besides these festivals Surasamharam is celebrated in the month of November.
During these festivals people used to take Kavadi to the temple. Some people will pull the cars connected with the nails pierced in their bodies. Some people will pierce their tongue with the spear. Besides these the god will come out of temple in Golden chariot in every week.
In the Murugan temples, the Kanda Sashti festival is celebrated for six days only. In some temples it is celebrated for seven days, with the divine wedding of Lord Muruga the next day to Sashti. But, in Thiruchendur the festival is held for twelve days - the first six days of Kanda Sashti comprise Sashti Vratam (the vow of Sashti) and Soora Samharam (the annihilation of the demon, Soora), on the seventh day it is the divine wedding of Lord Muruga and Deivanai, and in the next five days, the Lord in his wedding gear appears and blesses in the ‘Unjal Sevai’ that is, sitting on the Swing.
Vaikasi Visagam (May - June):
A large number of devotees, numbering about two lakhs, participate in the festival. A procession of Sri Jayantinathar with Valli and Deivanai is conducted in the night.
Avani Festival (August - September):
Devotees numbering about two lakh participate in this festival. On this Avani festival 7th, 8th and 10th day functions are more important.
• 7th Sikappu Sathi Festival.
• 8th Pachai Sathi Festival.
• 10th Car Festival (Big cars will not be available).
For brief details, please refer below link;
Skanda Sasti Festival - 7 days (October - November):
Devotees numbering about five lakhs will participate in the above festival. On this festival occasion, devotees fast for all six days. On the 6th day Surasamharam is demonstrated. On the 7th day Thirukkalyanam to Deivanai is celebrated in a grand manner.
For brief details, please refer below link;
Masi Festival - 12 days (February - March):
More than three lakh people participate in this festival.
• 7th day Sikappu Sathi
• 8th Pachai Sathi Festival
• 10th Car Festival (Big cars will not be available)
• 11th day Floating festival (yearly once)
For brief details, please refer below link;
Vaikasi Visagam (May - June):
A large number of devotees, numbering about two lakhs, participate in the festival. A procession of Sri Jayantinathar with Valli and Deivanai is conducted in the night.
Vasanta Festival - 10 days (April - May):
The Vasanta festival is an annual festival of ten days in the month of Chittirai (April-May). Senthil-Nayagar, the Utsavar processional deity of Subrahmanya with his consorts Valli and Teyvayanai, are taken from their sanctum in the temple to the Vasanta Mantapa on the Giri – prakara which is suitably decorated with festoons for the occasion and made especially cool with waters filled in the trough which runs around the pedestal on which the deities are placed. It is an enjoyable and pleasant festival, wherein only the blessed who gather there have communion with the deity without much of a crowd.
Vows and Offerings:
Devotees who take a vow place their offerings during festival and other days. They austerely fast and carry Kavadi, Palkudam, offer Abishegam etc. to the Lord. The Golden Chariot procession, Chandana Lebanam, Dharabhishegam, Dharahomam are performed by devotees in fulfillment of their vows.
Devotees who perform such austerities get relieved of their mental worries; the unmarried get married; and the childless beget children by the grace of Arulmigu Subramania Swamy.