Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Thula
Kattam – Festivals
Tula
Snanam:
A 30 day Theerthavari festival is celebrated during each
day of Tamil month of Aippasi (November–December). On the day of the
Amavasya in Aippasi, religious Hindus have a ceremonial bath in the temple tank
as it is believed to purify them from sins. People take their holy bath in the
Cauvery river in Thula Kattam during the Aipasi month (October-November) and
the first day of following Karthikai month.
Lord Shiva visits Cauvery each day during this period of
31 days. It is also said that Ganga had her sins washed off with a dip in
Cauvery. This day is Aipasi new moon day (Deepavali). A bath in Cauvery on this
day cleanses the devotee of all his/her past sins. During the festival, Mother in
peacock form goes around the four streets and to the banks of the Cauvery and
all the prakaras dancing around as a peacock and finally merges with Lord Shiva.
An annual dance festival called the Mayura Natyanjali
festival is celebrated on the 7th day within the precincts of the
temple each year. On the first day, Amavasya and on the 30th
day, Pancha Moorthy from Mayiladuthurai
Mayuranathar Temple, Vallalar
Koil, Kasi Viswanathar Temple (both southern
and northern
banks) and Aiyarappar
Temple arrive here.
Devotees can have darshan of 25 Lords together. Taking
bath in the last day of Aippasi month is called as Kadaimugam. Taking bath in the
first day of Karthigai month before sunrise is called Mudavan Muzhukku and is
considered as holy as Kadaimugam. Those missed taking bath in Aippasi month
would take bath during this time.
Lord Aiyarappar and Aram Valartha Nayagi of Aiyarappar Temple along with
Lord Shiva & Mother of Mayuranathaswami Temple, Moovalur Margasahayesvarar Temple, Sozhampettai Azhagiyanathar Temple, Thula Kattam Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Sitharkadu Brahmapureeswarar Temple and Punugeeswarar Temple goes in
procession around Mayiladuthurai on the day of Chitra Pournami and finally gathering at Mayuranathar temple to invoke the blessings of Mayuranathar. They
go back to their respective temples from here. This festival is called as Saptha
Sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai.
Other Festivals:
Navaratri, Shivaratri, Margazhi Thiruvadhirai, Arudhra
Darshan, Mondays, Karthigai, Sankatahara Chathurthi, Pradoshams, Amavasya, Skanda
Sashti and Aippasi Annabishekam are the other festivals celebrated here.