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Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Edaganathar Temple, Thiruvedagam – Worship Practices & Festivals

Edaganathar Temple, Thiruvedagam – Worship Practices & 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 Kalm at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, Irandam Kalm at 7:30 p.m., and Arthajamam at 9:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Edaganathar 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.
Sambandar's miracle is celebrated every year as Edu Ethireriya Utsavam remembering the event of the palm leaf of Gnanasambandhar floating against the current of Vaigai River on Aavani Avittam Star day combined with full moon day during the Tamil month of Vaikasi. Sankabisheka, performed during Karthikai (November – December) is considered very sacred in the region. The Muthu Pandal festival is celebrated during the day of the Magam (February – March) is the most prominent festival.
Chithirai Tamil New Year day falling almost on April 14 or a day before or after occasionally in some year; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Lord Nataraja Tirumanjanam on Aani Uthiram in June-July; Special abishek to Ambica (Poopunitha Neerattu) on Aadi Pooram day in July-August; Karthikai Deepam in November-December; Margazhi Arudra darshan in December-January, Masi Float festival in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
There is a festival in the temple almost each month for a day only. Only Navarathri is celebrated for 10 days.  Though there is a flag post – Kodimaram in Tamil – Brahmmotsavam is not celebrated in the Temple except an abishek to the post in Chithirai first day-Tamil new year day when Panchanga-almanac is read out. For Mahasivarathri puja, the fourth puja of the night is dedicated to Bhairava, unlike in most other temples where all pujas are for Siva.