Shanmughanathar Temple, Kunnakudi, Karaikudi – Culture
The
temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasandhi at
6:00 a.m., Uchikala Poojai at
11:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Arthajama
Pooja at 7:45 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for the presiding deities.
There
are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple
is open from 6:30 am - 12:00 pm and 5 - 8:30 pm on all days except during
festive occasions when it has extended timings. The major festivals of the
temple include the Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated during the Tamil month
of Panguni (March - April) and Thaipoosam during Thai (January -
February). The other festivals include Kantha Sashti, Vaikasi Visagam, Aavani
Moolam and Paal Perukku Vizha.
Like
other Murugan temples during the festivals, hundreds of devotees carry pots of
milk and Kavadi around the streets of the temple. Devotees
offer pepper and salt to Saravana Poigai, the temple tank, as a mark of
worship. The temple is revered in the verses of Thirupugazh the 15th century anthology on Murugan by Arunagirinathar.
In
modern times, the Sivaganga district administration has identified the temple
as one of the prominent tourist attractions in the district. The temple is
administered by Kunnakudi Thiruvannamalai Mutt
Adikal, which was established
during the 16th century. In modern times, the caves are maintained and
administered by Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument.