Friday, March 10, 2017

Papanasanathar Temple, Papanasam – Festivals

Papanasanathar Temple, Papanasam – Festivals
The temple follows Saivite tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Thirupananthal at 6:30 a.m., Sirualasanthi at 7:00 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:30 a.m., Uchikalam at 11:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Arthajamam between 8:00 - 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alankaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Papanasanathar and Ulagammai. During Uchikala pooja, the food offered to the deities is offered to the fish in Tamirabarani River.
There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple is open from 6 am - 1 pm and 4 - 8:30 pm on all days except during new moon days when it is open the full day. The 10 day Brahmmotsavam in Chithirai and the Agasthya wedding festival on the first day of the same month (April-May) and Thaipoosam in January-February are the most prominent festivals of the temple. Maha Shivaratri in February – March and Aadi Ammavasai Festival celebrated in the month of July attract thousands of devotees from Tamilnadu and Kerala.