Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur
– Festivals
Worship
Practices:
The
temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on
a daily basis. The
temple rituals are performed four times a day; Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at
12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, and Artha Jamam at
9:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: Abhishekam (sacred
bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa
aradanai (waving of lamps) for Kachabeswarar and Anjanakshi.
Brahmotsavam and Chitra
Pournami (full moon day) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May) are the most
famous festival celebrated in this temple. It is said that Lord Shiva (Utsava Idol) performs 18
forms of celestial dance called Amirtha Thandavam during this festival. The
chin mudra vaibhavam of Lord Shiva on the fifth day of the annual festival is considered
special here.
Avani Vinayakar Chaturthi (Aug-Sep), Purattasi Navaratri
(Sep-Oct), Aippasi Skanda Shashti & Aippasi Annabishekam (Oct–Nov), Thiru
Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (Dec-Jan), Thai Pongal (Jan-Feb),
Masi Shivrathri (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram (Mar-Apr) are the other festivals
celebrated here. Pradoshams, Amavasai, Pournami, Kiruthigai, Chathurthi,
Mondays and Fridays are considered special here.