Narasimhaswamy Temple, Namakkal – Festivals &
Religious Practises
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 7:00 a.m., Uchikala
Poojai at 12:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at 4:30 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 7:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:30 - 8:00 pm on all days except during
festive occasions when it has extended timings.
The
major festivals of the temple is the fifteen day Panguni Uthiram festival
celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) when
the image of presiding deities are taken around the streets of the temple in a
temple chariot. Other festivals of the temple include Chittirai Tamil New year,
Vaigasi Visagam, Telugu New Year, Avani Pavitrotsavam, Narasimhar Jayanthi, Vaikunta
Ekadasi and Thai
Pongal during various
months of the year. In modern times, the Namakkal district administration
has identified the temple as one of the prominent tourist attractions in the
district. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and
Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
The
pujas are performed as per Vaikhanasa agama. Thayar is offered with jewels,
Sarees and garlands in abundance by devotees. The three festivals of importance
are Dasara festival for ten days in Purattasi; Car festival is the main
attraction with all colors and festivities drawing thousands of devotees from
all over Kongu region; Anjaneya Jayanthi is another famous celebration during
Margazhi.
Nrusimha Jayanthi:
On
Nrusimha Jayanthi, the processional icon of Shri Narasimha is taken from the sanctum
to visit Lakshmi in her shrine and together they give a darshan to devotees.
This happens only on this day. The car festival is celebrated the next day.
Thaligai for Lord Narasimha:
On the
occasion of his Thiru Kalyanam, Devas wanted to feed Thirupathi Srinivasa, who
referring to this place as ‘Mel’ Ahobilam, asked them to feed the Lord here.
Hence, presenting Thaligai to Lord Narasimha here is very special and is
equivalent to feeding Thirupathi Lord Srinivasa. On Pradosham, presenting
Thaligai and Panagam (sweet drink made with jaggery) will liberate one from all
troubles.
List of Festivals:
·
New Year
in April (Chithirai)
·
Telugu
New Year
·
Vaigasi
Visagam (April – May)
·
Aadi -
18 in August
·
Aadi
Pooram Sri Namagiri Thayar in swing
·
Aavani
Pouthira Urchavam (September)
·
Sri
Narasimmar Jayanthi (September)
·
Sri
Krishna Jayanthi (Sep - Oct)
·
All 4
Saturdays in Puratasi (Sep - Oct)4
·
Navarathri
Urchavam (Oct)
·
Vijayadasami
·
Karthigai
Dheepam in December
·
Hanuman
Jayanthi in Margali (On full moon day in Margali Moolam star)
·
Special
poojas in full month of Margali
·
Vaigunda
Ekadasi (Special pooja for lord Aranganathar)
·
Harvest
Festival (Pongal) in January
·
Varuda
Urchavam in Panguni