Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi – Festivals
The
temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
Like other Shiva temples of Tamilnadu, the priests belong to the Shaivaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals
are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at
8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m.,
Irandamkalam at 8:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual
comprises four steps: Abhishekam (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for all the three Shiva
shrines. Six worship services are
offered each day.
The
worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in
the Vedas read by priests and prostration by worshippers in
front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like Somavaram and sukravaram,
fortnightly rituals like Pradosham and monthly festivals like Amavasai (new moon
day), Kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) and sathurthi.
Brahmotsavam
in the temple begins on the Chithirai Tiruvadhirai day in April-May. The event
of Mother Uma feeding Gnanasambandar is celebrated on the second day. The milk
fed to the child saint is offered as Prasad. Consuming this milk ensures
salvation to the devotee, it is believed. Oil abishek is offered to Lord Uma
Maheswarar in the hill temple on the first day of Tamil months Chithirai
(April-May); Aadi (July-August); Aipasi (October-November); Thai
(January-February) and on Karthikai Deepam in November-December, Margazhi
Tiruvadirai in December-January and Shivrathri in February-March. Special pujas
are performed on Aadi Pooram in July-August, Navarathri in September-October,
Thai new moon day in January-February, Vaikasi Moola Star day in May-June, Aani
Rohini Star day in June-July and Sadayam Star day in Aipasi in
October-November.
The
Thirumulaippal Urchavam is celebrated on the second day of the Brahmotsavam of
the temple in the Tamil month of Chittirai. On this day, the Uthsavamoorthy of
Thirugnana Sambandar is taken to Thiruthalam Udaiyar temple at Tirukkolakka
(Sirkazhi) wherein the Golden Cymbals presented by the Lord and the Amman
giving it the sound are symbolically celebrated and Sambandar is brought back
here in a flower decorated palanquin (Poo Pallakku).
Special
Poojas are performed here on Ashtami days and Abhishekam on Fridays. Punugu is
applied at 12.00pm with Vadamalai. Pulse dish is offered as Nivedhana. Special
worship services to Bhairavar (Sattanathar) are carried out on Friday
nights.