Dhenupureeswarar Temple,
Patteeswaram – Festivals
Muthu
Pandal Festival:
The most important festival of the
temple is the Muthu Pandal (Pearl Tent) event in the month of Aani (June-July).
This is a festival remembering the event of Lord Shiva offering this Pandal to
Saint Gnanasambandar through his Bhooda Ganas. It is almost a spiritual drama
showing the mercy of Lord to the child saint. It begins at 12.00 a.m. on the
day when child saint Gnanasambandar comes to the tent in Patteeswaram with his
followers and sings the hymns. Lord Patteeswarar and Mother Palvalai Nayaki
comes in procession in a pearl palanquin at night. The child saint also follows
in procession.
Processions
of Five Utsava Murthis:
All the five Utsava Idols are taken out in procession in
the annual ten-day festival in Margazhi (December-January) and in another 10
day festival in Vaikasi (May-June). During the Margazhi festival, the five
principal deities are taken in different mounts on the new moon day and Theerthavari
at Koti Theertham to commemorate the event of Lord Ram being relieved from
Sayahati dosha to Lord Sri Rama. During the Vaikasi Visakam festival,
the festive images of the five principal deities are taken in different
vehicles to Thirumalairajan river for Theerthavari. On the return, the images
are mounted in Vrishabha vahana and taken around the streets of Patteeswaram.
Navaratri:
The Navaratri Festival with the Durga Puja in
September-October is a big occasion in this
temple.
Brahmotsavam:
The ten-day thanksgiving festival honours King Chitra Sena
of Kaambeeli. He had no children and to liberate himself from the sins of his
previous birth, he came here with his wife, took a bath in the sacred tank and
prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him
in Vaikasi (May-June) and blessed him with a child. As a thanksgiving to the
Lord, the delighted king started the grand 10-day festival in Thai
(January-February).
Other
Festivals:
Aani Thirumanjanam to Lord Nataraja in June-July; Aadi
Pooram Mother Palvalai Nayaki procession in July-August; Avani abishekam to
Lord Nataraja in August-September; Vinayaka Chathurthi pujas and special
abisheks in the same month; Skanda Sashti and Aipasi Annabishekam in
October-November; Thiru Karthigai in November-December; Margazhi Thiruvadhirai
December-January; Thai Makara Sankranti in January-February; Masi Magam and
Maha Shivrathri with four time pujas at night in February-March; Sandalwood
paste Alankaras to Durga in Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Monthly Pradosha
days, Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year Days are the many festivals
celebrated in the
temple with special pujas and aaradhanas. The Navakoti (9 crores)
archana is very popular here.