Veerattaneswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai – Worship &
Festivals
The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like
other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaivite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals
are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:00 a.m., Kalasanthi at
8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m.,
Irandamkalam at 8:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 p.m. Each ritual
comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred
bath), alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa
aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Veeratteswarar and Thiripurasundari. There
are weekly rituals like Somavaram and Sukravaram, fortnightly
rituals like Pradosham and monthly festivals like Ammavasai (new moon day), Kiruthigai, Pournami (full
moon day) and Sathurthi.
The most prominent festival of the temple, Vasantha
Utsavam, is celebrated for ten days during the Tamil month of Chittirai. The festival deity
of presiding deity and his consort circumambulate
the temple and the streets in the
village in different vehicles. 10 days Vaikasi Brahmotsavam during the
Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) with Panchamurthy procession on
silver vahana, 10 days Aadi Pooram; 10 days Manickavasagar Utsavam in Margazhi,
1 day Margazhi Tiruvadhirai with Theerthavari and 10 days Chithirai Sadayam
star festival associated with the day Appar got salvation are other important festivals of the
temple.