Friday, July 22, 2016

Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur – Festivals

Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur – Festivals

Worship Practices:

The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day; Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, and Artha Jamam at 9:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: Abhishekam (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Kachabeswarar and Anjanakshi.

Festivals:

Brahmotsavam and Chitra Pournami (full moon day) in the Tamil month of Chithirai (Apr-May) are the most famous festival celebrated in this temple. It is said that Lord Shiva (Utsava Idol) performs 18 forms of celestial dance called Amirtha Thandavam during this festival. The chin mudra vaibhavam of Lord Shiva on the fifth day of the annual festival is considered special here.

Avani Vinayakar Chaturthi (Aug-Sep), Purattasi Navaratri (Sep-Oct), Aippasi Skanda Shashti & Aippasi Annabishekam (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (Dec-Jan), Thai Pongal (Jan-Feb), Masi Shivrathri (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram (Mar-Apr) are the other festivals celebrated here. Pradoshams, Amavasai, Pournami, Kiruthigai, Chathurthi, Mondays and Fridays are considered special here.