Othandeeswarar Temple, Thirumazhisai – Religious
Practices & Festivals
The
temple follows Saivite tradition. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during
festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the
priests belong to the Shaivite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals
are performed four times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:30 a.m., Uchikalam at
11:30 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Sayaratchai between
8:00 - 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both
Othandeeswarar and Kulirvithanayaki. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly
rituals performed in the temple.
The
temple has many festivals in its calendar. They are
1. Brahmotsavam Festival during Panguni (March -
April)
2. Sani Peyarchi (transit of planet Saturn)
3. Karthikai in November-December
4. Pournami
5. Ammavasai
6. Pradosham
7. Shivarathri
8. Skanda Sashti
9. Arudra Dharisanam