Festivals
The temple celebrates various festivals throughout the year. These are the following:
Chitharai Brahmotsavam – This is an 18 days festival falling in the month of April-May. The festival begins with the hoisting of the festival flag is taken out in a procession through the main streets and then hoisted in the presence of priests and dignitaries amidst chanting of hymns in the morning between 7-8 a.m. Earlier there is a Pooja and abhishekham of the Shiva linga in the sanctum. In the evening the idols of gods Vinayagar and Chandrashekhar are taken out in a procession inside the temple premises on all days of the festival. During chithirai nathathiram the theerthavari or the chariot festival takes place when the chariots of the gods start from the temple on West Main Street, and go around the four main streets of the ancient city. It halts at six spots for special pujas before returning to the base mandapam. Several organisations and philanthropists offer buttermilk, panagam, a jaggery drink, other cool drinks and Pongal to those drawing the temple car.
Aipasi Pournami festival – this is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of Aipassi (October–November) – On the sathiya natchathiram the birth day function of King Raja Raja Chola is held. A grand function takes place and festivities are held continuously, from morning 9.00 till 3.00. in the afternoon. During the Aipasi festival the Annabhishekam, or the ablution of the presiding deity with cooked rice is performed.
Pradosha – Once in a fortnight, during the Pradosha kala, there is a special anointing of the Lord's mount, the Nandi bull, with milk, sandal water, etc. There is a special abishekha of the presiding deity, the Shiva linga, and devotees offer the bilva leaves, food offerings (Naivaedyaas), etc. It is followed by aarti or the deepa aradhana which is done by the temple priest.
Maha Shivaratri is an annual festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm during the month of February-March. Special abishekam was performed to Peruudayar deity with tender coconut, milk, curd, sandal, turmeric, and draviya powder.
Around the time of the Mahashivratri, the temple hosts the Brahan Natyanjali festival or the annual dance festival. It is spread over 10 days, during which individual artists and troupes perform classical Indian dances such as the Bharat Natyam, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Odissi.
The Satabhishag or the day of the ruling star, every month, is considered as a day of celebration by people as this is a symbol of ruling star, the time when Raja Raja was born. The temple also becomes the venue of its annual festival that is celebrated in the month of Visaka. During this 9-day festival, the devotees make their Lord take a bath with water made fragrant from Champaka flowers.
Arudra Darshanam is one of the biggest festivals that is observed in this temple. As this holy shrine is a Chidambaram temple or a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is commemorated in the month of Margashis (December-January). The festival is meant to celebrate the cosmic dance of Shiva.
Kumbabhishekam refers to a yearly festival when the dome and the gopuram are bathed with the sanctified divine waters. While Kumba denotes the Vimana or the Shikhara of the temple, Abhishekam is a ritual of bathing.
Special function takes place at the time of Navaratri, Deevali, Pongal, and New Year. Special poojas are conducted during the days of Thiruvathirai, aadipuram, karthigai. There is a special Abhishek of Goddess Varahi on the day of Panchami every fortnight. The Ashatami Abhishek takes place on the ashatami of every fortnight for Lord Bairavar. Other festivals include the Girivalam which is celebrated on every full moon day, the Aadi pooram in the month of July-August, and the Thanoormadh Pooja.
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