Uthamar Temple, Manachanallur – Festivals
The
temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
The priests of the Bikshadanar shrine belong to the Shaiva community, while the priests of Purushothamar are
from Vaishnava community. 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 5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at
7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:30 p.m. The Saiva and Vaishnava sects
have their own rituals. The ritual of Bhishadanar comprises four steps: abishekam (sacred bath), Alankaram (decoration), neivethanam
(food offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both
Bikshadanar and Soundarya Parvathi Amman.
The
worship is held amidst religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) read by priests and prostration by
worshippers in front of the temple mast. 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) & Sathurthi for
Bhishadanar. The major festival of the temple, the Brahmotsavam, is celebrated
during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November – December) when festival
images of both Purushothamar and Bhishadanar are carried together in the
streets surrounding the temple. Kadamba Thiruvizha is a festival celebrated in
the temple when the festival image of Ranganathar is brought to the Kadamba
tank of the temple for Theerthavari.
The
Karthikai festival in November-December is celebrated at three directions for
the three Lords by burning the Chokkapanai (a palm leaf set up around a tall
palm tree stem). Theerthavari festival is celebrated in Coloroon
River (Kollidam) for Lord Shiva on Thai Poosam day (January-February) and on
Masi Magam day in February-March for Lord Vishnu. Float festival is celebrated
for Lord Perumal in Chithirai (April-May) and for Lord Shiva in Vaikasi
(May-June). The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious
and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
