Veera Raghava Swami Temple (Thiruevvul), Thiruvallur –
Worship Practices & Festivals
The
temple follows the traditions of the Vadakalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition
and follows Pancharathram Aagama. 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: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at
12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Ardha
Jamam at 8:30 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food
offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Veera Raghava
Perumal and Vasumathi Thayar.
During
the last step of worship, nagaswaram(pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion
instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text)
and Nalayira Divya Prabhandham 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 temple witnesses a huge devotee crowd in thousands during
the two Brahmotsavams, the first of 10 days in Chithirai (April-May) and the
second 10 days in Thai covering January-February. The crowd is equally big for
the Pavithra Utsav lasting seven days. Two Theppotsavam, (float-festivals),
each for three days- one in Ani (mid-June to mid-July) and another in Masi
(mid-February to mid-March), both starting from new moon day.
During
Chittirai, Brahmotsavam, the festival deity is taken in procession around the
streets of the temple in different mounts each day and the float festival is
celebrated on the last day. Pancha Parva festivals (Occurring on Ekadesies,
Pournami, first day of each Tamil month and Amavasya), Birth stars of Lord Veeraraghava
and Swami Desikan viz Chithirai and Shravanam (Thiruvonam), Friday festivals
for Thayar Thirumanjanam(Abishekam) and Purappadu of Perumal are conducted on
Pancha Parva and Chithira Star, Thayar on Fridays and Swami Desikan on
Shravanam(Thiruvonam).
It is
believed that people get relief from their illness or other personal problems
if they pray here on Amavasya day. Having darshan and offering Kaanikkai on 3
or 6 consecutive Amavasya days is believed to be even more desirable. Hence
thousands of people come to this temple on that day. Long hours of darshan is
arranged by the temple authorities to facilitate the devotees. It is considered
auspicious to visit this temple on new moon days. Fridays are marked by a
procession of the processional image of Thaayar to the Vellikkizhamai mandapam.
The
other festivals associated with Vishnu temples like Krishna Jayanthi, Saturdays
of Tamil month Puratasi, Navratri, Vaikunta
Ekadasi and Vijayadasami are celebrated during the respective days.
Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyannam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai
Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam, Murukku are offered to Lord as Prasadam.