Madhava Perumal Temple, Mylapore – Worship Practices
& Festivals
The
temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavite community, a
Brahmin sub-caste. 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 7:00 p.m. Each ritual has
three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) & deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Madhava Perumal
and his consort Amirthavalli. During the worship, religious instructions in
the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and
worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast.
There
are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The Theppam or
float festival of Madhava Perumal Temple will be held for three days. On the
first day, Madhava Perumal and Amirthavalli Thaayar will be taken around the
tank. Kothandaramar will be taken around on the second day and Peyalvar on the
final day. The sacred tank, also called the Santhana Pushkarini, with an area
of 117x100 ft can accommodate only a small float that can carry not more than
10 people. So, only priests were allowed to enter the float. During Maasi
Magam, the water from all sacred rivers of India is believed to mingle with the
water of the tank of this temple. Taking a dip here on this day is considered
holy.
The
festival is one of the major festivals of the temple, which was not celebrated
for a decade before 2011. It is believed that all the rivers converge in the
tank during the auspicious day. The annual festival, Brahmotsavam, of the
temple is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March -
April). In the Tamil calendar month of Aadi, Lord Madhava Perumal is seen in a
sleeping posture on the lap of Andal- a special event at this temple.
Special
poojas are conducted during all the nine nights of Navarathri in the month
of Puratasi (mid-September to mid-October) for Mother. On the tenth day of
Navarathri i.e. during Vijayadasami, Lord Perumal is carried in a procession to
the main entrance. There after special poojas, the Utsav of firing bow and
arrow towards the Vanni tree takes place. The blessed bow and arrow from the
hands of Lord Perumal is taken and passed on to a member of the
Vedhavyasapaatar Community which in is then passed on to the Locality's Gowder
who after all the necessary pooja will start firing the arrow towards the Vanni
tree. After all the ceremonies, Lord Perumal is taken in a procession into the
temple from where he provides vision to his devotees.
Odd
numbered Saturdays of Puratasi brings prosperity. Therefore, special worships
are held on all five Saturdays of the month of Puratasi signifying the
austerity of the days. If the month has four Saturdays only, the last Saturday
of the month of Aavani or the First Saturday of the month of Aippasi is considered
as the 5th Saturday. These days brings prosperity and are treated as special occasions
for the devotees who undergo a fast.
The
month of Margazhi (December - January) sees a flurry of activities dedicated to
Lord Perumal. Every morning during all the ten days of the Vaikunda Ekadasi
Lord Perumal is taken on a procession around the temple with verses from Alvar
recited invoking his blessings. On the 10th day the Lord appears
along with Nachiyar in front of the Devotees. On the eve of Vaikunda Ekadasi
Lord Perumal raises up to the golden gates of heaven and from there provides a
heavenly vision to his devotees.
The
Temple Car Festival is celebrated at the beginning of the birth of the star
sign of Lord Perumal. The star sign of Perumal of the temple is Aastha. The
signs Aastha and Rohini have similar facets. Therefore, at the beginning of the
Star Sign Rohini the Car festival is commenced and its ends during the birth of
the star sign Aastha. The festival is commenced with hoisting the Holy Flag on
the first day followed by the Holy Car processions on subsequent days.
Shimmavaganam, Anumandha Vaganam, Karuda Sevai, Thiru Kalyana Pushpa Vimana
Utsav are the Holy Cars which are taken in a procession for four subsequent
days after the Holy Flag Hoisting.
Tamil
New Year, Sri Rama Navami & Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi during Chithirai Month, Nammalvar
Thiru Natchatram, Narasimha Jayanthi and Pattar Thiru Natchatram during Vaikasi
Month, Chakkarathalwar Thiru Natchatram during Aani Month, Thakshinaayanapunya
Kaalam and Andal Thiruvaadipooram during Aadi Month, Senai Mudalvar Thiru
Natchatram, Manavaala Mamunigal Thiru Natchatram and Deepavali during Aipasi
Month, Thirumangai Alvar Thiru Natchatram and Thiru Karthigai Deepam during
Karthigai Month, Pagal Pathu and Ra Pathu during Margazhi Month, Pongal and Kurathaalvar
Thiru Natchatram during Thai Month and Ranga Naachiyaar Panguni Uthram in
Panguni Month are the other festivals celebrated in this temple with much
fanfare. Under the control of the HR and CE Department, it is well maintained.
Festivals are held in almost every Tamil month, except Ani and Purattasi.