Apatsahayesvarar Temple (Guru Sthalam), Alangudi – Festivals
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The
temple rituals are performed six times a day; Kalasanthi at
6:00 a.m., Irandam Kalam at
9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at
6:00 p.m, Irandam Kalam at 7:30 p.m.,
and Arthajamam at 9:00 p.m.. Each ritual comprises four
steps: abishekam (sacred bath), Alankaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and Deepa
aradanai (waving of lamps) for Apatsahayesvarar and Elavarkuzhali.
There are weekly rituals like Somavaram (Monday)
and Sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like Pradosham, and
monthly festivals like Ammavasai (new moon
day), kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) and Sathurthi.
Other festivals include Vinayaka Chaturthi, Aadi Pooram, Navarathri, Aippasi
Pournami, Skanda Sashti, Karthikai Deepam, Arudra Dharisanam, Tai Poosam, Maasi
Magam, Panguni Uttiram and Vaikasi Visakam. The major festival of the temple is
the Brahmotsavam celebrated during the Tamil
month of Chittirai (April–June),
when special worship practices are followed and the festival image of the deity
is taken around the streets of Alangudi.
Special abishek and pujas are conducted in the
Abathsahayeswarar temple for Guru Dakshinamurthy of Thursday in the month of
Masi –February-March. Married women change their Mangalsutra thread. Women with
auspicious Guru-Jupiter aspects are lucky ones with long married life. Masi
Thursday is considered very important for Guru Worship. This day has greater
significance in Jupiter-Guru related issues than his transit days from one
zodiac sign to the next each year. Guru Peyarchi (the planet’s transit from one
house to another) occurs every year. This is an important festival and attracts
many people who want to get married or arrange suitable alliances for their
children. Thursdays are also considered special.