Friday, February 26, 2016

Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Patteeswaram – Festivals

Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Patteeswaram – Festivals

Muthu Pandal Festival:

The most important festival of the temple is the Muthu Pandal (Pearl Tent) event in the month of Aani (June-July). This is a festival remembering the event of Lord Shiva offering this Pandal to Saint Gnanasambandar through his Bhooda Ganas. It is almost a spiritual drama showing the mercy of Lord to the child saint. It begins at 12.00 a.m. on the day when child saint Gnanasambandar comes to the tent in Patteeswaram with his followers and sings the hymns. Lord Patteeswarar and Mother Palvalai Nayaki comes in procession in a pearl palanquin at night. The child saint also follows in procession.

Processions of Five Utsava Murthis:

All the five Utsava Idols are taken out in procession in the annual ten-day festival in Margazhi (December-January) and in another 10 day festival in Vaikasi (May-June). During the Margazhi festival, the five principal deities are taken in different mounts on the new moon day and Theerthavari at Koti Theertham to commemorate the event of Lord Ram being relieved from Sayahati dosha to Lord Sri Rama. During the Vaikasi Visakam festival, the festive images of the five principal deities are taken in different vehicles to Thirumalairajan river for Theerthavari. On the return, the images are mounted in Vrishabha vahana and taken around the streets of Patteeswaram.

Navaratri:

The Navaratri Festival with the Durga Puja in September-October is a big occasion in this temple

Brahmotsavam:

The ten-day thanksgiving festival honours King Chitra Sena of Kaambeeli. He had no children and to liberate himself from the sins of his previous birth, he came here with his wife, took a bath in the sacred tank and prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before him in Vaikasi (May-June) and blessed him with a child. As a thanksgiving to the Lord, the delighted king started the grand 10-day festival in Thai (January-February).

Other Festivals:

Aani Thirumanjanam to Lord Nataraja in June-July; Aadi Pooram Mother Palvalai Nayaki procession in July-August; Avani abishekam to Lord Nataraja in August-September; Vinayaka Chathurthi pujas and special abisheks in the same month; Skanda Sashti and Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November; Thiru Karthigai in November-December; Margazhi Thiruvadhirai December-January; Thai Makara Sankranti in January-February; Masi Magam and Maha Shivrathri with four time pujas at night in February-March; Sandalwood paste Alankaras to Durga in Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Monthly Pradosha days, Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year Days are the many festivals celebrated in the temple with special pujas and aaradhanas. The Navakoti (9 crores) archana is very popular here.