Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple,
Thirumazhapadi – Festivals
Nandi Kalyanam:
Nandi Kalyanam, the celestial
wedding of the Nandi (bull), is celebrated in a grand
manner in this
temple on Panguni Punarvasu star day during the Tamil month of Panguni
(mid-March to mid-April). At that time Lord Nandeeswarar, the bridegroom
of Aiyarappar
temple marries Goddess Swayambikai of Thirumazhapadi
and is brought in a palanquin. Utsava idols of Lord Panchanatheeswarar and
Dharmasamvardhini are decorated and taken to Thirumazhaipadi in a glass
palanquin. The palanquin bearers cross the river by foot as the level of water
in the river at this time of the year is pretty low.
Lord Vaidyanatha and Goddess
Sundarambigai are also taken in a palanquin to receive Panchanatheeswarar on
the sands of the River Kollidam along with Adhikara Nandikeswara who is dressed
in a Maratha attire. The whole village takes on a festive look with plantain
trees tied at the entrances of houses as a good omen to greet the newly wedded
couple and the divine deities. The marriage celebrations begin in the evening
on a dais near the Rajagopuram of the Thirumazhaipadi
Vajrathampanathar Temple.
The processional images of Lord
Vaidyanatha and Goddess Sundarambigai are brought in their palanquins close to
the dais to witness the marriage. Adhikara Nandikeswara and the bride,
Swayambikai are beautifully decorated and the marriage is performed. As per the
Hindu marriage ritual the couple must go around the ceremonial fire seven
times. Lord Shiva took the newlywed couple to seven
Shiva temples around Thiruvaiyaru. These seven temples are known as Saptha
Sthanams. Then the deities are taken in a procession and brought to the
sands of the river.
Crackers are burst to give a
happy and festive send off to the newly wedded couple. Finally, the palanquin
of Panchanatheeswarar departs for Thiruvaiyaru along with Adhikara Nandikeswara
and Suyasambikai. Lord Vaidyanatha's palanquin returns to Thirumazhaipadi
temple to mark the end of the event. It is believed that those who attend
this festival will get married soon, hence there will be more youths of both
sex of marriageable age attending the festival.
Car Festival:
The Ther or car festival is
celebrated in Masi (February-March). The temple car has over 300 exquisitely
carved wooden panels, with more than 100 figures depicting stories from the
Hindu mythology.
Other Festivals:
Maha Shivrathri in February-March;
Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Tirukarthikai in November-December
are the festivals celebrated in the
temple.