Papanasanathar Temple, Papanasam – Festivals
The
temple follows Saivite tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during
festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a
day: Thirupananthal at 6:30 a.m., Sirualasanthi at
7:00 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:30 a.m., Uchikalam at 11:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at
6:00 p.m., and Arthajamam between 8:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Each ritual has three steps: Alankaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both
Papanasanathar and Ulagammai. During Uchikala pooja, the food offered to
the deities is offered to the fish in Tamirabarani River.
There
are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple
is open from 6 am - 1 pm and 4 - 8:30 pm on all days except during new moon
days when it is open the full day. The 10 day Brahmmotsavam in Chithirai and
the Agasthya wedding festival on the first day of the same month (April-May)
and Thaipoosam in January-February are the most prominent festivals of the
temple. Maha Shivaratri in February – March and Aadi Ammavasai Festival
celebrated in the month of July attract thousands of devotees from Tamilnadu
and Kerala.