Kailasanathar Temple, Srivaikundam, Thoothukudi – Festivals
The
temple follows Saivite tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
As at other Shiva temples of Tamilnadu, the priests belong to the Shaivite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals
are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:30 a.m., Uchikalam at
11:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Aravanai
Pooja between 8:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Each
ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Kailasanathar
and Sivakami. 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. The temple is open from 6am - 12 pm and 4-8:30 pm on
all days except during new moon days when it is open the full day.
The
Brahmotsavam festival celebrated during the Tamil months of Chittirai (April - May)
and Aippasi (October - November) are the most prominent festivals of
the temple. Other festivals like Sivarathri, Arattu festival, Thirukalyanam (sacred marriage) and Kanthasashti
are the other festivals celebrated. The Thirukalyanam festival is attended
by thousands of devotees in the region. Major festivals celebrated in this
temple are;
·
Monthly
Pradosham
·
Maha
Shivrathri in February-March
·
Aavani
Moolam in August-September
·
Panguni
Uthiram in March-April
·
Vaikasi
Visakam in May-June
· 10 day
Chithirai Mother Chamundeeswari festival commencing from the first day after
new moon day in April-May
·
Aadi
Pooram in July-August
·
Karthikai
Deepam in November-December
·
Margazhi
Tiruvadhirai in December-January
·
Thai
Poosam in January-February
·
Aipasi
Annabishekam in October-November
