Thiruchendur Murugan Temple - Festivals
The temple has festivals almost throughout the year. In
the Tamil month of Chithirai (April) Tamil new year is celebrated. In the Tamil
month of Vaikasi Visakam festival is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Avani
annual festival is celebrated. In the Tamil month of Aipasi Amavasya is celebrated.
In the Tamil month of karthigai, karthigai Virutham is celebrated. In the Tamil
month of Thai, Thaipoosam festival and Pongal festival is celebrated. In the
Tamil month of Maasi, Annual greater festival is celebrated. In the Tamil month
of Panguni, Uthiram festival is celebrated. Besides these festivals Surasamharam is
celebrated in the month of November.
During these festivals people used to take Kavadi to the
temple. Some people will pull the cars connected with the nails pierced in
their bodies. Some people will pierce their tongue with the spear. Besides
these the god will come out of temple in Golden chariot in every week.
In the Murugan temples, the Kanda Sashti festival is
celebrated for six days only. In some temples it is celebrated for seven days,
with the divine wedding of Lord Muruga the next day to Sashti. But, in Thiruchendur
the festival is held for twelve days - the first six days of Kanda Sashti
comprise Sashti Vratam (the vow of Sashti) and Soora Samharam (the annihilation
of the demon, Soora), on the seventh day it is the divine wedding of Lord
Muruga and Deivanai, and in the next five days, the Lord in his wedding gear
appears and blesses in the ‘Unjal Sevai’ that is, sitting on the Swing.
Vaikasi
Visagam (May - June):
A large number of devotees, numbering about two lakhs,
participate in the festival. A procession of Sri Jayantinathar with Valli and
Deivanai is conducted in the night.
Avani
Festival (August - September):
Devotees numbering about two lakh participate in this
festival. On this Avani festival 7th, 8th and 10th day functions are more
important.
• 7th Sikappu Sathi Festival.
• 8th Pachai Sathi Festival.
• 10th Car Festival (Big cars will not be available).
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Skanda
Sasti Festival - 7 days (October - November):
Devotees numbering about five lakhs will participate in
the above festival. On this festival occasion, devotees fast for all six days.
On the 6th day Surasamharam is demonstrated. On the 7th day Thirukkalyanam to
Deivanai is celebrated in a grand manner.
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Masi
Festival - 12 days (February - March):
More than three lakh people participate in this
festival.
• 7th day Sikappu Sathi
• 8th Pachai Sathi Festival
• 10th Car Festival (Big cars will not be available)
• 11th day Floating festival (yearly once)
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Vaikasi
Visagam (May - June):
A large number of devotees, numbering about two lakhs,
participate in the festival. A procession of Sri Jayantinathar
with Valli and Deivanai is conducted in the night.
Vasanta
Festival - 10 days (April - May):
The Vasanta festival is an annual festival of ten
days in the month of Chittirai (April-May). Senthil-Nayagar, the Utsavar
processional deity of Subrahmanya with his consorts Valli and Teyvayanai, are taken from their sanctum in the temple to the Vasanta Mantapa
on the Giri – prakara which is suitably decorated with festoons for the
occasion and made especially cool with waters filled in the trough which runs around
the pedestal on which the deities are placed. It is an enjoyable and pleasant
festival, wherein only the blessed who gather there have communion with the
deity without much of a crowd.
Vows and
Offerings:
Devotees who take a vow place their offerings during
festival and other days. They austerely fast and carry Kavadi, Palkudam, offer
Abishegam etc. to the Lord. The Golden Chariot procession, Chandana Lebanam,
Dharabhishegam, Dharahomam are performed by devotees in fulfillment of their
vows.
Devotees who perform such austerities get relieved of
their mental worries; the unmarried get married; and the childless beget
children by the grace of Arulmigu Subramania Swamy.