Uppiliappan Temple,
Tirunageswaram – Festivals
Brahmotsavams:
Brahmotsavam is grandly
celebrated in the temple in the months of Purattasi (September-October),
Aipasi (October-November) and Panguni (March-April).
Panguni Brahmotsavam
(March-April):
Brahmotsavam for 9 days with big
chariot festival will be conducted on the 9th Day of
Shravanam. The lord appeared in this place in Panguni Shravanam and
married Bhoomi Devi in Aippasi Shravanam and every year; these are celebrated
as grand festivals. The chariot festival is the most prominent festival of the temple,
celebrated for nine days during the Tamil month
of Panguni (March–April) and devotees from various places pull the
chariot round the streets of temple. Verses from the Nalayira Divya
Prabandham are recited by a group of temple priests amidst music with Nadaswaram
(pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument).
The processional idols of
Uppiliappan and Bhoomidevi are brought to the temple car early in the morning
amidst Vedic chantings. Subsequently, the festive idols are taken to
the Ther Thatti Mandapam (chariot launching hall). Theratharohanam, the
rituals associated with taking the idols to the temple car is performed in an
auspicious time before starting the procession.
Aippasi Brahmotsavam (Oct-Nov):
Kalyana Utsavam (holy marriage
of god and goddess) for 12 days commencing from Shravanam
during Aippasi (Oct–Nov) will be conducted. The lord appeared in this
place in Panguni Shravanam and married Bhoomi Devi in Aippasi Shravanam and
every year; these are celebrated as grand festivals.
Purattasi Brahmotsavam (Sept -
Oct):
Brahmotsavam will be conducted
for nine days of Purattasi (Sept – Oct). Little Chariot
(Goratham) procession will be conducted on the last day of Shravanam.
Vasantha Utsavam (Vaikasi (May-June)):
Vasantha Utsavam or the spring
festival for 6 days at the Nandavanam (garden), culminating on Shravanam day.
Pavithrotsavam (Avani (Aug - Sep)):
Pavithrotsavam (purifying
festival) will be conducted for 5 days ending on Shravanam day
during Avani (Aug – Sep). Early morning garuda Seva of the Lord
will be conducted. On Avani Thiruvonam star day, Perumal grants darshan – Udaya
Garuda Sevai. Then he bathes in the Nattaru River praised as Dakshina
Ganga. Special pujas are performed after this event. The practice of soothsaying
before the lamps is followed even these days.
Adhyayana Utsavam (Margazhi (Dec-Jan)):
Adhyayana Utsavam (ten day and ten-night
festival) will be conducted during Margazhi (Dec–Jan) Day Utsavam will be
conducted for 10 days. Night Utsavam will be conducted for 10
days. Additional 2 days Utsavam will be conducted. Totally it is 22 days
festival.
Float Festival (Thai (Jan - Feb)):
Float festival for 5 days
culminating on Shravanam will be conducted.
Sri Ramanavami (Apr-May):
Rama Navami, the festival
associated with Rama, an avatar of Vishnu. The event is
celebrated for ten days in the months of April/May with music and dance performance
and on the concluding day, Kanakabhishekam (ablution with gold for
the festival image) and Rama Pattabishekam are conducted on a grand and
majestic scale, attended by thousands of devotees.
Sravana Deepam & Sravana Vratham:
Sravana Deepam is a festival
celebrated every month in the temple on the day of Tamil star
of Thiruvonam and devotees observe fast called Sravana Vratham that
day by consuming only unsalted food. Every month, Shravanam day is
celebrated in a grand manner in this temple, when thousands of devotees
congregate and worship the Lord. The Sravana Deepam function, which is held at
about 11 a.m. on that day is a big event that attracts pilgrims from all over
the country and abroad.
Prarthana Festivals:
On the specific requests of the
devotees, in fulfillment of their vow, Kalyana Utsavam, Garuda Sevai, Golden
chariot, Dolothsavam, Nitya aaradhana, mirror-room Seva and Durbar Seva are
performed at the appropriate timings. Besides, Thirumanjanam (holy bathing) of
the Moolavar deity, Utsavar deity, Rama etc., is also done on requests from
devotees.