Padalathri Temple (Narasimhar Temple),
Singaperumalkoil, Kanchipuram – Worship Practices & Festivals
The
temple follows Thenkalai tradition of worship based on Vaikasana Agamic tradition.
The temple is open from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The
temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
As at other Vishnu temples of Tamilnadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals
are performed four times a day: Ushathkalam at 8 a.m., Kalasanthi at
10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at
8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam
(food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both
Narasimhar and his consort Ahobilavalli. There are weekly, monthly and
fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
Various
festivals are celebrated in the temple, with the Chittirai Brahmotsavam during
April - May, Narasimha Jayanthi, Pavithra Utsavam during Aani (June -
July) and Maasi float festival during February - March being the most
prominent. During Aani Brahmotsavam, the temple car housing the festival
deities of Narasimhar and Ahobilavalli is drawn around the streets of
Singaperumalkoil. During the float festival in February-March, the presiding
deities are drawn in a float in the temple tank. Chithirai new year day, Sri
Ramanuja Jayanthi, Aadi Pooram (July-August), Krishna Jayanthi, Navarathri,
Acharya Manavala Mamunigal festival in Aipasi (October-November), Thirukartikai
(November-December), Andal Neeratu Utsavam (bathing) On Makara Sankaranthi in
Thai (falling almost on January 14), and Panguni Uthiram (March-April) are the other
festivals celebrated in the temple.
There
are festivals almost every month in the temple. The temple is maintained and
administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.