Sunday, January 31, 2016

Palani Murugan Temple – Chithirai Festivals

Palani Murugan Temple – Chithirai Festivals
Chitra Pournami
On this day, a ten-day festival is conducted at Arulmigu Lakshminarayana Perumal temple. At the Periyanayaki Amman Temple also, Lord Muthukumara Swamy, along with Valli and Deivanai, rides in the silver car along the streets around the Temple.
Agni Nakshatram
Agni Nakshatram is one of the important festivals at Palani. During the last seven days of Chitrai and the first seven days of the following month (i.e. Vaikasi) the devotees of Lord Muruga go around the Hill by foot, early in the mornings.
On the 1st day, there is flag hoisting at Tiruvavinankudi Temple and on all the 10 days Lord Muthukumara Swamy with Sri Valli and Sri Deivanai goes in procession around the Palani Hill. On the 7th day there is "Car Festival" and this is attended by thousands of devotees. During these days the Lord also is given special reception and pooja at many 'mandapams' in the Palani Adivaram area. It is a grand sight to see Lord Muruga with his concerts during these processions.
As per the Palani mythology, it is considered holy to worship the Hill temple from afar or from near or go around it. It is also called Girivalam. It is an age old practice. In ancient days the siddhas, rishis, saints and other noble persons followed this practice. Girivalam gives mental peace; the medicinal herbs around the hillock cure many physical diseases. Nowadays people go around the temple by wearing Kadamba flower.
Agni Nakshatram is a 14-day period in May, the hottest part of the year. It is the season when devout persons go round the hill in the Giri Veedhi as much out of faith as for reasons of health, in the early morning (1 am. to 10 a.m.) and evening (4 to 10 pm) in large numbers. Just now, the Kadamba trees (Eugenia Racemosa), favourite flora of Muruga, are in full bloom all around the hill shedding their fragrance and conveying healing properties to all the walkers.
To go round the hills on these days is very holy. It will be a grand sight to see thousands joining in this group. Some hundreds will carry Cauvery water on their head from Kodumudi with music and devotional songs accompanying them. They will bathe Palani Andavar with this water and worship him. Because Sivacharyas first came from Kodumudi, they have adopted this system. The water bearers are accompanied by artistes in a variety of folk-music and folkdance items. Their procession by itself is colorful and difficult to forget.
On the concluding day, the festival deity of the Periyanayaki Temple marches to the Adivaram and there is a majestic procession round Giri Veedhi. On the last day, Muthukumaraswami in Periyanayaki Amman Temple will distribute holy water in Ookkatti Mandapam at the foot of the hills. Then he will go round the hills and return to his temple.