Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple,
Mamallapuram – Religious Practices & Festivals
Religious
Practices:
There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals
performed in the temple. Two worship services are carried out each day. 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 10:00 p.m.
Each ritual has three
steps: alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering)
and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Sthalasayana Perumal
and Nilamangai Thayar. During the last step of worship, Nadaswaram (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. Puliyodharai
(Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam,
Murukku are offered to Lord as Prasadam.
Festivals:
Maasi Maham:
Maasi Maham is an important festival. The Utsava idol in
the temple, known as "Ulaguyya Nindra Piran" along with his Consorts,
and those of Valavendai Gnanapiran or Adivaraha and Sri Rama from nearby
Padavedu Temple, will be taken in procession to the seashore at Mahabalipuram
where special Poojas will be performed and Theerthavari are offered.
Bhoothathalvar Avathara Utsavam:
Bhoothatazhwar Avathara Utsavam, the birth anniversary
of Bhoothatazhwar is celebrated every year during the Tamil
month of Aipasi (October - November). At around 10 A.M. on the
festival day, the festival image of the Azhwar is brought in a palanquin to the
shrine of Nilamangai Thayar and then to Sthalasayana Perumal. After recital of Periya
Thirumozhi of Thirumangai Azhwar, Kaithala Seva, a
practise of providing a special gift to Bhoothatazhwar is performed. Bhoothatazhwar
also makes a trip to the Cave temple of
Mahabalipuram. During the evening, the festival images of the presiding deity
of Sthalasayana Perumal and Bhoothatazhwar is taken around the streets of the
temple.
Vaikunda
Ekadasi:
Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi is very devotionally
celebrated in this temple.
