Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur – Festivals
& Religious Practices
The
temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Pancharatna.
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 six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7
a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at
12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at
7:00 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 Bhaktavatsala Perumal
and Sudhavalli Thayar. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument)
and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, 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.
Brahmotsavam
during Panguni (March - April), Panguni Tiruvonam in March-April, birth star
days of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas and 12 Azhwars, Chitra Poornima in April-May and
Wedding festivals, Deepavali in October-November, Sri Jayanti Utsavam during Aavani,
Tirukarthikai in November-December, Tiruadyana Utsavam during Margazhi (December
- January), Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January, Masi Magam in February-March,
Thai Pongal and Ratha Sapthami in January-February are the festivals celebrated
in the temple. All full moon days, Tiruvonam star days, Fridays and Saturdays
are special puja days in the temple.