Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Soundararajaperumal Temple, Thadikombu – Festivals & Religious Practices

Soundararajaperumal Temple, Thadikombu – Festivals & Religious Practices
The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Vaikhanasa Aagama. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m, Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m.
Each ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Soundararajan and Soundaravalli. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
During the Tamil month of Chittirai, the festival deity is taken in procession around the Mada Street of the temple. Similar processions are followed during the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August).
5 day festival in the month of Chithirai (April-May) and 10 day Adi Poornima-July-August are the festivals celebrated in the temple, drawing huge crowd of devotees.
Performing poojas to the Rathi-Manmathan deities for five consecutive Thursdays here will help unmarried people find suitable marriage partners. People wishing for a child or to shine in education or expand their business can worship this Perumal here and have their wishes fulfilled and problems solved.
It is customary for devotes offer Sarees to the Thaayaar and thulasi malai to the Perumal if their wishes are fulfilled.
Thiruvonam Deepa:
Lord Soundararajan Perumal graces from sanctum sanctorum with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi in a standing form.  As it is believed that Lord Kallazhagar of Madurai has connections with this place also, a festival of the Lord visiting the Kudaganaru River is celebrated as in Madurai in Vaigai River.
The festival represents the grace of the Lord to Sage Mandukya.  On each Thiruvonam star day, a deepam is lit at the feet of the Lord.  The procession deity would be following the lamp taken before him.  It is believed that those fortunate to have this darshan would be relieved of their sins.
Brahmotsavam:
Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of Adi (July-August). The car festival of the Lord takes in place on the full moon day of the month.  Sri Akarshana Bhairava offers solution to devotees to manage economic problems.