Kandhaswamy Temple, Cheyyur – Worship
Practices & Festivals
Worship
Practices:
The
temple follows Saivite tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals)
during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four
times a day: Kalasanthi at 7:00 a.m., Uchikalam at
12:30 p.m., and Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m. During
the Arthajamam between 8:30 - 9:00 p.m, Kandhaswamy is believed
to offer his worship Somanatha along with the 27 Bhootaganas and it is enacted
every day. Each ritual has three
steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering)
& Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Kandhaswamy and his consorts.
Festivals:
The
temple has many festivals in its calendar, with the Vaikasi Visakam, Aadi Krithikai,
Kandasashti, Sura Samharam, Karthigai Deepam, Thaipoosam and Panguni Uthiram
are the festivals being the being the most prominent. During Kandha Sashti, the
Vel Vaangum Vizha is celebrated behind the Mahodhara Bootha Vethalam belonging
to Pooradam star. Theipirai Ashtami, Shivaratri and Karthigai Deepam are other
festivals celebrated here.
Periyandavar Pooja is performed during Shivaratri,
Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays in this temple. Sarva Vadhyam is a music
instrument used in the
temple from historic times during the festive occasions. Chengalvaraya
Sastri, a historical musician is believed to have composed songs praising the
presiding deity. The practise of singing his songs during the rituals is
continued in modern times.
