Thiruvazhmarban Temple, Thiruvanparisaram – Religious
Practices & Festivals
The
temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect
of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Vaikasana Aagama. In modern
times, the temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Six
daily rituals are held at various times of the day. There are weekly, monthly
and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
Many
yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the ten-day Chittirai
Brahmotsavam during the Tamil
month of Chittirai (April
- May), Aadi Swati festival for Kulasekara Azhwar when he is believed to attain
Vaikunta, Navarathri during September – October, All Purattasi Saturdays
in September – October, Avani Tiruvonam in August-September, Krishna Jayanthi in
(August – September) and Vaikunta
Ekadasi during Margazhi (December - January) being the
most prominent.
During
the Chittirai Brahmotsavam, the festival deities of the temple are taken around
the streets of the temple in a chariot drawn by hundreds of devotees. Oonjal
Sevai is exclusively observed for the Perumal of this temple only in
Kanyakumari district. Aaraattu Vizha is celebrated grandly on the Tiruvonam
star day in Thai month (January-February) in the temple.
