Vedarajan Temple, Thirunagari – Religious Practises &
Festivals
The
temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and
follows Vaikasana Aagama. The temple is open from 7:30 -11:30 am and
between 4-9:30 pm. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during
festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a
day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m.,
Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Aravanai Pooja at
8:00 p.m. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in
the temple.
The
Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalasasana Utsavam is the most prominent festival of the
temple. During the new moon day of the Tamil month Thai (January - February), the festival
deity of Thirumangai
Azhwar is taken to the Thirumanimadam from Thirunagari. The major event of the
festival is Garudasevai in which the festival images of the 11 Thirunangur Tirupathis are brought on
mount designed like Garuda, called Garuda Vahana, to Thirunangur.
The
festive image of Thirumangai Azhwar is brought on a Hamsa Vahanam (palanquin)
and his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these eleven temples are
recited during the occasion. The festival images of Thirumangai Alvar and his
consort Kumudhavalli Naachiyar are taken in the palanquin to each of the eleven
temples. The verses dedicated to each of the eleven temples are chanted in the
respective shrines. This is one of the most important festivals in the region
attended by thousands of pilgrims.
The
other festivals celebrated in the temple are the ten-day Vaikasi Swathi
festival, Thai 12 Garuda Sevai, Pavitrotsavam during Aani (June -
July), 10 days of Brahmotsavam in Panguni and Panguni Uthiram during Panguni (March
- April). Every year, in the month of Panguni (March 15 to April 15 normally),
in the night of the star Uthiram, the waylaying (Vedupariutsavam) by the Azhwar
and the Thirumandira Upadesam by the Lord are enacted in a grand festive manner.
