Friday, September 9, 2016

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple – Festivals & Religious Practises

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple – Festivals & Religious Practises
The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Kalasandhi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikala Poojai at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Arthajama Pooja at 8:45 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for the presiding deities.
There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The temple is open from 6:30 am - 1:00 pm and 4:30 - 9:00 pm on all days except during festive occasions when it has extended timings. The major festivals of the temple is the fifteen day Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) when the image of presiding deities are taken around the streets of the temple.
In modern times, the Namakkal district administration has identified the temple as one of the prominent tourist attractions in the district. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Festivals:
·        New Year in April (Chithirai)
·        Telugu New Year
·        Vaigasi Visagam (April – May)
·        Aadi - 18 in August
·        Aadi Pooram Sri Namagiri Thayar in swing
·        Aavani Pouthira Urchavam (September)
·        Sri Narasimmar Jayanthi (September)
·        Sri Krishna Jayanthi (Sep - Oct)
·        All 4 Saturdays in Puratasi (Sep - Oct)4
·        Navarathri Urchavam (Oct)
·        Vijayadasami
·        Karthigai Dheepam in December
·        Hanuman Jayanthi in Margali (On full moon day in Margali Moolam star)
·        Special poojas in full month of Margali
·        Vaigunda Ekadasi (Special pooja for lord Aranganathar)
·        Harvest Festival (Pongal) in January
·        Varuda Urchavam in Panguni