Friday, December 23, 2016

Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai – Festivals

Mayuranathaswami Temple, Mayiladuthurai – Festivals

Tula Snanam:

A 30 day Theerthavari festival is celebrated during each day of Tamil month of Aippasi (November–December). On the day of the Amavasya in Aippasi, religious Hindus have a ceremonial bath in the temple tank as it is believed to purify them from sins. People take their holy bath in the Cauvery river during the Aipasi month (October-November) and the first day of following Karthikai month. Lord Shiva visits Cauvery each day during this period of 31 days. It is also said that Ganga had her sins washed off with a dip in Cauvery. This day is Aipasi new moon day (Deepavali). A bath in Cauvery on this day cleanses the devotee of all his/her past sins.

During the festival, Mother in peacock form goes around the four streets and to the banks of the Cauvery and all the prakaras dancing around as a peacock and finally merges with Lord Shiva. An annual dance festival called the Mayura Natyanjali festival is celebrated on the 7th day within the precincts of the temple each year. On the first day, Amavasya and on the 30th day, Pancha Moorthy from Mayiladuthurai Mayuranathar Temple, Vallalar Koil, Kasi Viswanathar Temple (both southern and northern banks) and Aiyarappar Temple arrive here. Devotees can have darshan of 25 Lords together.

Saptha Sthana Festival:

Lord Aiyarappar and Aram Valartha Nayagi of Aiyarappar Temple along with Lord Shiva & Mother of Mayuranathaswami Temple, Moovalur Margasahayesvarar Temple, Sozhampettai Azhagiyanathar Temple, Thula Kattam Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Sitharkadu Brahmapureeswarar Temple and Punugeeswarar Temple goes in procession around Mayiladuthurai on the day of Chitra Pournami and finally gathering at Mayuranathar temple to invoke the blessings of Mayuranathar. They go back to their respective temples from here. This festival is called as Saptha Sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai. 

Vaikasi Brahmotsavam:

The annual festival, Brahmotsavam is observed in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May – June) for 10 days.

Theerthavari:

Theerthavari is celebrated in Brahma Theertham on Chitra Pournami, Vaikasi Visakam and Margazhi Thiruvadhirai day in the presence of both Mayuranathar and Abhayambikai.

Laksha Deepam:

Laksha Deepam is celebrated on the last Friday of Aadi month (July – August).

Other Festivals:

Navaratri, Shivaratri, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai, Adi Pooram, Avani MooIam, Karthigai Mondays, Skanda Sashti, and Aippasi Annabishekam are the other festivals celebrated here.