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Monday, September 30, 2019

Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple, Mamallapuram – Religious Practices & Festivals

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, VadaAdhirasam, 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.