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.