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.