Friday, October 7, 2016

Agnipureeswarar Temple, Thirupugalur – Festivals

Agnipureeswarar Temple, Thirupugalur – Festivals

Vaikasi Brahmotsavam:

Vaikasi Pournami Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) is the most important festivals of the temple. It commemorates the event of Lord Shiva in the form of Chandrasekara granting darshan to Lord Agni. Float festival is also celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi.

Appar Festival:

Appar attained salvation (Mukthi) at the age of 81 on a Chithirai Sadayam star day. To commemorate this event, a grand festival is celebrated every year on this day called Appar festival. Appar festival begins 10 days before Chithirai Sadayam Star day in April-May. The events includes his home coming from the Jains, the greatness of his Uzhavaram, dance of celestial nymphs and his merging with Lord Shiva. On the 10th day, Homam and Abhishekam is performed. Appar goes out on a procession on the Pushpa Pallakku at mid night.  The next day morning at around 4.30 am, after the presentation of ‘Ennugey Ennugey’ Padhigam, Appar merges with Lord Shiva.

Thai Poosam:

Lord Shiva makes a procession to Saranyapuri, located at about 24 Kms from this temple, on Thai Poosam. Saranyapuri is the place where Theerthavari takes place on the Rishaba Vahana. He makes his way back to the temple at 11.00 pm same night.

Muruga Nayanar Guru Puja:

Muruga Nayanar Guru Puja is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June).

Other Festivals:

Aani Thirumanjanam (Jun-Jul), Aadi Pooram (Jul-Aug), Aavani Vinayakar Chaturthi (Aug-Sep), Purattasi Navaratri (Sep-Oct), Aippasi Skanda Shashti (Oct–Nov), Aippasi Annabishekam (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Karthikai Somavaram (Nov-Dec), Markazhi Thiruvadhirai (Dec-Jan), Thai Makara Sankranti (Jan-Feb), Masi Shivrathri (Feb-Mar), Panguni Uthiram (Mar-Apr), Monthly Pradosha days (13th day from New Moon or Full Moon days), Amavasya, Pournami, Krithikai, Sankatahara Chaturthi, Deepavali and Tamil & English New Year days are the other festivals celebrated here.