Somanatha Swamy Temple, Keezh
Pazhayarai – Worship Practices & Festivals
Worship Practices:
The
temple priests perform the puja (rituals)
during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu,
the priests belong to the Shaiva community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The
temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m.,
Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at
5:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at
8:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: Abhisheka (sacred
bath), Alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering)
and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Somanatha Swamy and Somakamalambigai.
The worship is held amidst religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts)
read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast.
Festivals:
There are weekly rituals like Somavaram (Monday) and Sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like Pradosham and monthly festivals like Amavasai (new moon day), Kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) and Sathurthi. The major festival of the temple, the Brahmotsavam, is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April–May). Special poojas are performed for Mangayarkkarasiyar on Rohini Star in Tamil Month of Chithirai. Poornima in Aipasi (October-November), Tirukarthikai in November-December, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai in December-January and Mahashivaratri in February-March are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.