Uchinathar Temple, Sivapuri, Chidambaram – Rituals
& Festivals
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.
The temple rituals are performed three times a day; Kalasanthi at
8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m.
and Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four
steps: abhisheka (sacred
bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and Deepa
aradanai (waving of lamps) for Uchinathar and Kanakambigai.
There are weekly rituals like Somavaram (Monday)
and Sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like Pradosham, and monthly festivals like Ammavasai (new moon
day), Kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) and Sathurthi.
Vaikasi Visagam during the Tamil
month of Vaikasi (May - June) is the most
important festival of the temple. Navratri during Purattasi and Karthikai Somavaram
are other festivals celebrated in the temple.