Thirukkadigai, Sholinghur – Worship Practices &
Festivals
The
temple follows Thenkalai tradition
of worship based on Vaikasana Agamic tradition. The temple is open from
6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The temple priests
perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
The temple priests are believed to be the descendants of Doddacharya, who
follow the hereditary practices. The temple rituals are performed four times a
day: Ushathkalam at 8 a.m., Kalasanthi at
10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m. and Ardha
Jamam at 8:00 p.m.
Each
ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and Deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Yoga
Narasimhar and his consort Thirumangaivalli. There are weekly, monthly and
fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. Two worship services are offered
each day in the hill temples while three are offered in the Bhaktavatsala
temple, as per the Vaikanasa Agamam. Yoga Anjaneya Swami’s Thirumanjanam
(ablutions) and poojas are performed on all Sundays.
Devotees
consider worshipping on Thursdays in this shrine as very effective. People take
a bath in the Chakra Theertham of the small hill and worship the Lord. In
Karthigai Sundays people pray Lord after taking bath in the Chakra Theertham
and by lying down on its steps. People believe that Lord come and fulfill the
wishes of the devotees in their dreams. The temple is maintained and
administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Festivals:
S. No
|
Month
|
Festivals
|
1
|
Chithirai
|
Brahmotsavam 10 days
|
2
|
Vaikasi
|
Narasimha Jayanthi, Vaikasi Garuda Seva, Vasantha
Uthsavam, Nammalvar Festival
|
3
|
Aani
|
Summer Festival 3 days. Aani Garuda Seva, Adhikesava Perumal,
Thiruvona Festival
|
4
|
Aadi
|
Andal Thiru Aadippooram Festival (10 days), Gajendra
Motcham, Garuda Seva, Jestabishekam
|
5
|
Avani
|
Thirupavithrothsavam. Big Temple 7 days, Sri Jayanthi
|
6
|
Purattasi
|
Navarathri Uthsavam 10 days.
|
7
|
Aippasi
|
Dolotsavam oonjal Festival 3 days. Manavala Mamunigal
10 days. Last Friday Deepavali & Vana Bojanam
|
8
|
Karthigai
|
Karthigai Festival, Festival of light, Hanumanth
Jayanthi (Small Hill), Thirumangai Alvar Festival 10 days
|
9
|
Margazhi
|
Vaikunta Ekadasi, Pakal Pathu, Rapathu Uthsavam, New
year Jan 1, Padi Uthsavam
|
10
|
Thai
|
Andal Thirukalyanam, Western Parivettai, Giri Prathakshinam,
Thaipoosam, Float Festival 3 days.
|
11
|
Masi
|
Sri Doddachariar Annual Birth celebration, Dhavana
Uthsavam, Masi Float Festival
|
12
|
Panguni
|
Telugu New Year’s Day, Panguni Uthiram, Thirukalyanam
in the Big Temple.
|
During
Brahmotsavam festival, the temple car housing the festival deities of
Narasimhar and Amirthavalli is drawn around the streets of the temple. The
popular festival of this holy place is conducted in the month of Karthigai on
five Fridays and Sundays. This is a glorious occasion when thousands of
devotees assemble to participate in the festival. The Girivalam,
circumambulation of the hills is performed by devotees on the 2nd and 3rd day
of Thai, January 15th and 16th.
The
Mukkoti Dwadasi in Dhanurmas (December – January; 12th day after the new moon)
is special for this temple. On the same day as the Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal
Garuda Sevai, there is Garuda Sevai at Bhakta Sithan temple as well as the
Varadaraja Perumal Koil in Sholinghur. Amruthavalli Thaayar makes her annual
trip to down town Sholinghur in Puratasi and stays here with Bhaktavatsala
Perumal for two months (Puratasi and Aipasi). On the first day of karthigai,
she makes her trip back to the top of the hill.