Saturday, July 23, 2016

Thirumakaraleeswarar Temple, Magaral, Kanchipuram – Festivals

Thirumakaraleeswarar Temple, Magaral, Kanchipuram – Festivals
The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Kalasanthi at 6:00 a.m, Irandam Kalam at 9:00 a.m, Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m, Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, Irandam Kalam at 7:30 p.m., and Arthajamam 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 Magaraleeswarar and Tribuvananayagi.
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) & sathurthi. Other festivals include Vinayaka Chathurthi, Aadi Pooram, Navarathri, Aippasi Pournami, Skanda Sashti, Karthikai Deepam, Arudra Dharisanam, Tai Poosam, Maasi Magam, Panguni Uththiram and Vaikasi Visakam.

The major festival of the temple is the Brahmotsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March), when special worship practises are followed and the festival image of the deity is taken around the streets of Tirumagaral.