Kannudayanayaki Amman Temple, Nattarasankottai,
Sivaganga – Festivals
The
Pujas in the temple are performed by Uvachar dynasty belonging to the Parasaiva
community. The hoisting of the flag for the Brahmotsavam festival begins in the
presence of Sivacharyas and Sri Vaishnava Battacharyas according to Agama
(procedure) rules. This is 10 day festival in Vaikasi (May-June). 10 day Aipasi
(October-November) Kolattam festival, 10 day Thailakappu festival in Thai (January-February)
and the Tuesday (Sevvai) festival are very famous.
48 days
Kaliyatta Vizha is celebrated once in 12 years. During these days, Goddess
graces from two houses in the form of paintings on the walls. Kaliyatta Kannudaya
Nayaki graces in a sitting form in a silver chariot with 8 hands on the Swati
Star day in the month of Vaikasi (May-June). It is a procession of pleasing
royal elegance. 10 day Mulaikottu festival is celebrated in Adi month
(July-August). The seeds are sown in 9 earthen bowls and 1 golden bowl.
The
golden bowl is carried by the deity Adi Poornima day in a grand procession in
the morning. 10 day Navarathri festival is celebrated in Purattasi
(September-October). After 9 days celebrations in the temple, on the 10th day,
Vijayadasami day, Goddess comes in procession on a horse Vahana-vehicle. During
the Navarathri festivals, Laksharchanai (performing archanas chanting the glory
of the Goddess with one lakh names) are performed.
On the
Tirukarthika day, Mother Kannudaya Nayaki graces the devotees in a procession
on the Swan Vahana. The Chokkapanai is burnt that day. This is a tall post
covered by palm leaves, lighting a lamp at the top. After lighting this top
lamp, the Chokkapanai is burnt from the bottom. Mavilakku, flour made offering
for the Goddess is offered by the devotees to appease her and to get her
blessings. Vaikasi Visakam festival, celebrated for 10 days, is famous for the
temple and on the 8th day, the Goddess in the form of Kaliatta Kannathal
decorated by 'Kazhuthu Uru' (a Nagarathar Ornament) is taken in the silver
adorned chariot around the temple.
Also
Amman is taken in Golden chariot on 7th day on and Wooden Chariot on 9th day. On
10th day night the function is called as "Mosa kuthu"(Muyal-Rabbit in
English) one rabbit will be killed by using the long knife by Poosari every
year on this 10th day. Crowd of people will be there in the particular place to
see this function. Special government buses ply during these days from Madurai. The temple is famous for its architectural marvel and
Golden Kumbhams over the Temple tower. Kaliattam, a festival celebrated once in
12 years was celebrated in 1996 with much pomp and pageantry.
The
first 'Kumbabishekam' (Consecration of the temple) took place on September 12,
1938, the second on September 6, 1976 and the third on May 1, 1989 and also
last Kumbabishekam was on 2005. The temple is efficiently managed by the
village Nagarathars. 'Sevvai Pongal' during the Tamil month Thai, is a festival
that is celebrated by Nagarathars of this village, during which tickets will be
pooled and drawn and based on that places near the temple are allotted to all
the Nagarathar families for making Pongal. Non-Nagarathars also contribute a
lot to this festival.
There
are many temples in Nattarasankottai of which a Sivan temple is also famous.
Ashtami Thiruvizha and Sivarathri are the famous festivals of this temple. In
addition that Nattarasankottai has lot of temples is covered this town like
Ayyappan, Sivan, Perumal, Hanuman, Ramar, many marriammans etc.