Edaganathar Temple, Thiruvedagam – Worship Practices
& Festivals
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The
temple rituals are performed six times a day; Kalasanthi at
6:00 a.m., Irandam Kalm at
9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at
12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, Irandam
Kalm at 7:30 p.m., and Arthajamam at 9:00 p.m. Each
ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Edaganathar and Elavarkuzhali.
There are weekly rituals like Somavaram (Monday) and Sukravaram (Friday),
fortnightly rituals like Pradosham, and monthly festivals like Ammavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) and Sathurthi.
Sambandar's miracle is celebrated every year as Edu
Ethireriya Utsavam remembering the event of the palm leaf of Gnanasambandhar
floating against the current of Vaigai River on Aavani Avittam Star day
combined with full moon day during the Tamil
month of Vaikasi. Sankabisheka,
performed during Karthikai (November – December) is considered very
sacred in the region. The Muthu Pandal festival is celebrated during
the day of the Magam (February – March) is the most prominent festival.
Chithirai Tamil New Year day falling almost on April 14
or a day before or after occasionally in some year; Vaikasi Visakam in
May-June; Lord Nataraja Tirumanjanam on Aani Uthiram in June-July; Special
abishek to Ambica (Poopunitha Neerattu) on Aadi Pooram day in July-August;
Karthikai Deepam in November-December; Margazhi Arudra darshan in
December-January, Masi Float festival in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in
March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
There is a festival in the temple almost each month for
a day only. Only Navarathri is celebrated for 10 days. Though there
is a flag post – Kodimaram in Tamil – Brahmmotsavam is not celebrated in the
Temple except an abishek to the post in Chithirai first day-Tamil new year day
when Panchanga-almanac is read out. For Mahasivarathri puja, the fourth
puja of the night is dedicated to Bhairava, unlike in most other temples where
all pujas are for Siva.
