Sunday, January 31, 2016

Palani Murugan Temple - Festivals

Palani Murugan Temple - Festivals
Every day the processional icon of the main deity is taken around Dhandayuthapani Temple in a golden chariot. There is a very long waitlist, running to many years, for the privilege of pulling this chariot.
The annual Brahmotsavam and the day of the star Uthiram (Uttara-phalguni) is celebrated in Panguni (March-April). The day of the Krithika star, Thirukkrithika, Kandha Sashti (six days after Deepavali), and Thaipusam are other famous festivals.
A tradition is observed called Palli-Arai (bedroom ritual). Every night, the Lord is acquainted with the day’s accounts by the custodians of the temple. He is then put to sleep to the singing of lullabies by the odhuvar or bard.
Besides regular services, days sacred to the god Subrahmanyan are celebrated with pomp and splendour every year, and are attended by throngs of devotees from all over South India. Some of these festivals are the Thai-Poosam, the Panguni - Uththiram, the Vaikhashi - Vishakham and the Soora-Samharam. Thai - Poosam, which is considered, by far, the most important festival at Palani, is celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Thai (15 January-15 February).
Pilgrims after first having taken a strict vow of abstinence, come barefoot, by walk, from distant towns and villages. Many pilgrims also bring a litter of wood, called a Kavadi, borne on their shoulders, in commemoration of the act of the demon Hidumba who is credited by legend with bringing the two hills of Palani to their present location, slung upon his shoulders in a similar fashion. Others bring pots of sanctified water, known as Theertha - Kavadi, for the priests to conduct the Abhishekam on the holy day.
Traditionally, the most honoured of the pilgrims, whose arrival is awaited with anticipation by all and sundry, are the people of Karaikudi, who bring with them the diamond-encrusted vél or javelin, of the Lord from his temple at Karaikudi.
S.No
Festival
Tamil Month
English Month
1
Chitra Pournami
Chithirai 
April/May 
2
Agni Nakshathiram 
Chithirai-Vaikasi 
May/June  
3
Vaikasi Festival (Visakam)
Vaikasi 
June 
4
Aani - Annabishekam  
Aani 
July 
5
Aadi Laksharchanai
Aadi 
July/August 
6
Vijaya Dasami Vizha Navarathri Pooja Ambu uduthal Vizha 
Puratasi 
September/ October 

7
Kandha Shasti (Soora Samharam)
Aipasi 
October/ November  
8
Thirukarthigai Vizha (Peria Karthigai)
Karthigai 
November /December  
9
Thirupallieluchi Thiruvizha
Margazhi 
December/January  
10
Thai Poosam Thiruvizha
Thai 
January /February
11
Panguni Uthiram
Panguni 
March / April
Important Festivals of Palani
Important festivals of Palani are listed below;
Chithirai Festivals:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Vaikasi Visakam Festival:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Aani – Annabishekam Festival:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Aadi Festivals:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Kanda Sashti Festival:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Thirukarthigai Festival:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Thai Poosam Festival:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Margazhi Pooja:
For brief details, Please refer below link;
Panguni Uthiram Festival:
For brief details, Please refer below link;