Friday, July 22, 2016

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Festivals

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Festivals

Vaikasi Brahmotsavam:

Annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated for 10 days during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-Jun). It begins on the Poornima – Visakha star day. Garuda Seva is celebrated in the third day of Brahmotsavam and Chariot (Ther) festival is celebrated in the Seventh day of Brahmotsavam. The street procession of Lord Varadarajan on Garuda mount during Brahmotsavam is one of the most popular events in Kanchipuram. Lord Varadaraja leaves the temple on Garuda Vahana at 04.00 am in the early morning and return to the temple at noon after giving darshan to devotees.

Athi Varadar Festival:

During the Muslim invasion, the presiding deity (Lord Varadaraja Perumal) is said to have been damaged. As a damaged deity could not be worshipped, it was immersed in an underground chamber inside the temple tank. As the deity is made of Athi Maram (Fig tree), the idol came to be called as Athi Varadar. Athi Varadan is brought out for worship for 48 days, once every 40 years. The festival was held from July 1 to Aug 17 in 2019 with much pomp and fanfare.

The next Athi Varadar festival will be held in 2059. The current presiding deity in the sanctum was brought from Pazhaya Seevaram, about 20 Kms from Kanchipuram. In remembrance, the Utsava idol of Lord Varadaraja Perumal is taken on a procession once a year, during the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) to Pazhaya Seevaram. Lord Narasimha is also taken on a procession to Keezh Seevaram during the Sankranti period (Kanu).

Adhyayanothsavam:

Adhyayanothsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan). It is said that Thirumangai Azhwar initiated the recital of the Pasurams of all Azhwars. He commenced this festival on Vaikunta Ekadasi and had the rendition of Pasurams of all Azhwars for ten days. Later, Alavandar made this festival to last for 20 days and called the first ten days as Pagal Pathu and the next 10 days as Raapathu and included the Pasurams of Thirumangai Azhwar also.

Navaratri:

10 days Navaratri festival is celebrated during the Tamil month of Purattasi. Lord Varadaraja Perumal and Goddess are seen together in the temple prakaram on all 10 days and on Theppotsavam festival days.

Vaikunda Ekadasi:

Vaikunda Ekadasi is one of the most popular festivals, celebrated in Varadharaja Perumal Temple during the Tamil month of Margazhi.

Other Festivals:

Thiru Karthigai , Pavitrotsavam, Aadi Pooram, Jyestha Abhishekam, Sudarshana Jayanthi, Tamil New Year, English New Year, Azhwars and Acharyas Satrumurai, 7 days Panguni Uthiram, Rama Navami, Chitra Pournami, Pongal, Purattasi Saturdays, Aadi Fridays and Diwali are the other festivals celebrated here.

Street Procession:

Every Friday, Goddess Perundevi Thaayar goes out on a procession within the prakaram (Goddess does not leave the temple premises). Lord Varadarajan goes on a street procession every month on Pancha Paravam days. When this falls on a Friday, the Lord goes out on a street procession with the Goddess waiting at the Main Gopuram for Lord Varadarajan to return. From the main gopuram, Lord Varadarajan and Perundevi Thaayar come back together and both proceed to the garden behind Sudarsana Sannidhi for the devotees to offer their worship.

Special Abhishekams during Winter:

During winter, Lord Varadarajan wears a sweater to protect him from cold. Sacred bath for the Lord during this period takes place with hot water / milk.

Special Privilege to Vedanta Desikar:

Vedanta Desikar (of Thoopul) visits Varadaraja Perumal once a year during the month of Puratasi (Sept-Oct). This is the only Divya Desam, where Desikar enters the Sanctum of Lord Varadaraja Perumal. No other Azhvaar has this privilege.

Thirumanjanam:

Thirumanjanam will be done to Perumal (Moolavar) on every Friday and on Hastha Star Days.  Ekantha Thirumanjanam will be done at Thayar Sannidhi on every Friday.  Thirumanjanam are also performed at the shrines of Chakrathalvar, Thiruvananth Alwar and Anjaneyar Sannidhi at Thiruvadi Koil.