Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thirumazhisai – Worship
Practices & Festivals
The
temple follows Thenkalai tradition
of worship based on Vaikasana Agamic tradition. 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 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three
steps: alangaram(decoration), neivethanam (food offering)
and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Jagannatha Perumal and
his consort Thirumangaivalli. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals
performed in the temple.
Various
festivals are celebrated in the temple, with the Aani Brahmotsavam (during June
- July), Aipasi Manavala Mamuni festival during October – November, Azhwar
festival on Thai Magam star day in January-February and Maasi float festival
during February - March being the most prominent. During Aani Brahmotsavam, the
temple car housing the festival deities of Jagannatha Perumal and Thirumangaivalli
is drawn around the streets of Tirumazhisai. During the float festival in
February–March, the presiding deities are drawn in a float in the temple
tank. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and
Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.