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Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Padalathri Temple (Narasimhar Temple), Singaperumalkoil, Kanchipuram – Worship Practices & Festivals

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