Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple – Poojas & Festivals
The
daily way of worship of the Thirumalai Mahadevar Temple to the several deities
at different times is of great significance. The daily rituals related to
worship are called Nitya Puja. The ceremonies about some special festivals are
named as Naimittika. The day to day offerings are very essential to preserve
the sanctity of the shrine. They exhibit the fundamental ceremonies, rituals to
be performed in the temple. Inscriptions found in the Siva temple reveal the
endowments given by the Kings and the individuals for the conduct of daily
offerings and numbers of festivals connected therein.
The
ceremonies performed in the Thirumalai Temple may be broadly classified into
ordinary and extraordinary ceremonies. The ordinary ceremonies consist
of:-
(1)
Nityanidanam or the
daily round of ceremonies;
(2)
Masaviseshams or
periodical special ceremonies conducted on specified days in a month;
(3)
Attaviseshams or
periodical special ceremonies conducted on specified days in a year; and
(4) Utsavams or periodical
special annual festivals continuing for a fixed number of days.
The
second set of ceremonies viz., extraordinary ceremonies consist of those which
do not form part of the regular routine of ceremonies provided for in the sanctioned
Pathivus, but which are performed once in a way for special reasons.
Palliunartal:
The
daily routine of ceremonies in the temple may be said to begin at 5’ 0 clock,
to the booming of the conch by the parasava, the doors of the temple are
opened. The dress, jewels and flowers, found on the images, are removed, and
then, commences the preparation for the earliest function of the day called Palliunartal.
The idea underlying this ceremony is that the God is to be roused from his
sleep. After the Palliunartal, abishekam or bathing is done with milk, curd,
ghee, honey and the juice of tender coconuts in succession. During the abishekam,
the Archakar chants vedic hymns. Next followed by the decking of the images
with new clothes, flowers and sandal- paste. During the process of decoration,
too, the Archakar continues to chant sacred hymns, especially invocations like
the Astra mantra.
Oblations:
The abishekam
is the prelude to the neivedhyam or the offer of food to the
deities. In the Thirumalai Temple, cooked rice is the principal
item offered as oblation. Fruits, varieties of sweets and pudding are also
offered at times. The offer of the oblation is followed by the fumigate of
incense and illuminated lamps one or more, the entire ritual is accompanied by
the reciting of hymns and mantras by the priest. The main item in the daily
pujas is the offerings of oblation or prasadam to the deities on the different
occasions or stipulated hours of the day.
Apart
from these normal daily offering, special offerings or services were instituted
by Kings and other individuals. Such offerings or Santhis were arranged in
large numbers and they were often named after the donors. Besides the annual
festivals, certain ceremonies take place every month. Pradosham, Ekadasi, Pournami
are the days when special features appear. The routine puja time is morning
5-11’0 clock, evening 5-8’0 clock.
The
annual celebration conducts in the Tamil month of Panguni in every year. Kerala
Pottis are performing the daily pujas and ceremonies. The expenditure on
account of the above ceremonies is generally met from the Devaswam Fund. In
some Devaswams, the ceremonies on days are conducted at the expense of certain
private individuals. Besides these, vazhibadus are offered by the worshipping
public.
Shivalaya Ottam Festival:
One of
the colourful festival by name ‘Shivalaya Ottam’ in Kanyakumari District starts
from this temple. Thus, it seems that this temple has been a very famous
pilgrim centre from very early times. Shivalaya Ottam is the most colorful festival
in Kanyakumari District. It is a festival not only to worship at a
favourite deity’s altar, but also to meet friends and make new
acquaintances. Shivalaya Ottam, falls on the Tamil month of Masi corresponding
to February-March on the previous night of Shivaratri festival. On that day,
the devotees of Lord Siva start running from the Thirumalai Siva Temple
the other eleven Siva temples situated in and around Kanyakumari.
Other Festivals:
·
Shivaratri
·
Kumbashtami (Masi Month)
·
Vrichika Ashtami (Karthikai
Month)
·
Panguni kodiyetram - Peruvizha
