Thiruvanchikulam Mahadevar Temple – Festivals

Thiruvanchikulam Mahadevar Temple – Festivals

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. and Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m. There are weekly rituals like Somavaram (Monday) and Sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like Pradosham, and monthly festivals like Ammavasai (new moon day), Kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) and Sathurthi.

The ten-day Vaikasi Pournami Brahmotsavam festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) is being the most prominent festival. Mahasivarathri in February-March is celebrated grandly for 8 days with Arrattu on the New Moon day. Aanayottam is also conducted as part of the festival. The hoisting of the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple flag atop the flagstaff (Dwajasthambam) about 70 feet high marks the beginning of the festival.

Special poojas are also performed during many Hindu festivals and on auspicious days. The main offering in the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is Sankabishekam (pouring Shanku flowers on the idol. The main event in the Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple is ‘Dhambathi Pooja’ (couple offering), in which worships the Siva-Parvathy dual and lead them to the ‘Palliyarai’ (their personal bed room).