Annual Festivals

Every South Indian shrine of the two sects of the Hindu pantheon does conduct impressive celebrations as annual festivals by taking the Utsava moorthis [murtis] in processions on the main streets around the temple complex with an intention of creating religious fervour among the huge crowds of people far and near besides offering the graceful sight of the respective Gods and Goddesses to the disabled and physically challenged. It is really a grand spectacular and pompous show to those who see and visualize. During the processions, the Utsavabheras are beautifully dressed and decorated with several costly jewels, mounted on various vahanas (vehicles) like wooden horse, elephant, lion, swan etc. The processional deity is given all the traditional paraphernalia like huge umbrellas (chatras) and fly whisks (Chamara). The priests (Archakas) sit in front, to receive the offerings of the people and thereby make the beneficiaries of God's grace. Generally, during such Godly processions, sacred banners and festoons are carried, followed by trumpets (Nadhasvaram) and drum beaters (Melams) with frequent announcement of the processional deity. The Veda recites clad in traditional dress follow the procession.

From the above details it would be more appropriate to review the various annual festivals of Arulala Perumal temple at Munnur. From the inscription of these temples it is observed that many of the festivals have been going on for centuries. In earlier centuries, they seem to have been done in a smaller scale. But from about 12^thand 14^thcenturies, the festivals and celebrations increased in number and grandeur due to numerous royal patronage, grants, and other benefactions. The festivals of Arulala Perumal temple are being conducted throughout the year with special reference to the Tamil months. The detail of the same is narrated month wise.

Chitrai (April)

Special Tirumanjanam^[1] (bath) and procession in the streets around the temple take place. This month witnesses the procession of the presiding deity. The Brahmotsavam festival. The Brahmotsavam of Arulala Perumal temple also takes place during the month. The most famous and popular pompous processional, show of Arulala Perumal performed for 10 days with the peak of grandeur is by on every Chitra asterism of this month. According to legend, the same is being graced by the King of Heavan viz., Devendran. And as per his wish and request, an additional day of festival (10^thday) is being conducted in commemoration of his celebration for the sake of Kadamba Maharishi (saint). During this festival the Lord Arulala Perumal comes in procession along with his consort. An inscription of Jatavarman

Vaigasi (May -June)

During this month, the festival is celebrated on Rohini, the birth asterism of the saint of this place. On the full moon day, Gajendra Moksha festival is being conducted.

Ani (June-July)

Although there is no special festival conducted, the birth day of Periyalvar, one of twelve Alvars associated with his devotional hymns sung in praise of the God Arulala Perumal of this place, falls during this month.

Hence this month could be made special as tribute to his devotion to the Lord.

Adi (July-August)

In this month is celebrated the Tiruvadipuram festival in honour of Andalor Sudiktidutta Natchiyar. The festival culminates in the celebration of the marriage of Andal, the divine maiden and the Lord Arulala Perumal.

Avani (August-September)

The Pavitrotsava festival is performed in this month. The main objective of this festival is the expiration of the sins of omission and commission arising in the daily worship and other religious rites performed in the temples. In other words, it is a Purifiactory ceremony. During this time. Arulala Perumal is decorated with Paviiramala (Purifiactory garlands) made of silk thread. The ceremonies included the performance of Homa and Vedic recitations on those days and ends with Poorna Ahuti, Another important festival of this month is the Sri Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of Krishna, which falls on the day of Rohini, on the 8^th day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight. The festival celebrates the birth and boyish pranks of Krishna. There are special pujas, offerings, and holy bath followed by processions.^[2] Next day is held a Uriyadi festival symbolizing the stealing of butter by Krishna. This game creates a lot of fun and frolic, commemorative of the playful acts of Krishna as child.

Purattasi (September-October)

The grand Navaratri (Nine days) festival is celebrated for 10 days when Arulala Perumal and Thayar grace the durbar or Kolu in the Kalyanamandapa. On the Mahanavami day, an abhisheka or holy bath for the deities is performed in the mandapa of the temple followed by a street procession. Closely following Navaratri festival comes Vijayadasami which is considered as especially auspicious for the commencement of any venure. On this occasion is performed the vani tree festival.

Aippasi (October-November)

This month witnesses the festivals for the Mudal-Alvars and Manavala-Mahamuni besides the Deepavali. Ankitarpanam, a ceremony, believed to symbolise prosperity, is performed before the commencement of any festival. During this month, the Andal Unjalutsavam is also celebrated. Manavala Mahamunis festival is conducted with the recitation of many verses from the Divya Prabhandam. Then the Lord and this Saint are taken in procession into the inner precincts of the temple.

Karthigai (November -December)

In this month the Karthigai festival and festival of Tirumangai Alvar are celebrated. The latter falls on the Krithigai star. The Karthigai festival was known as Tirukarthigai Tirunal and celebrated on the full moon day. The temple promises and private houses outside are all profusely illuminated with the traditional earthen lamps. This is observed to propitiate Agni (fire), one of the elements. During the performance of this festival, the descendants of the Gousikagothra read, and recite the Gousika Puranam with the precession of the God.

Margali (December–January)

One of the most important festivals in this temple is the Adhyayanautsavam that takes place in this month for 20 days. The period of this place is divided into two equal parts, the earlier ten days forming the first period or pagalpattu (10 days) and the latter ten days the second period or Iravapattu (10 nights). Here in this temple these processions and festivals are conducted for all the 20 days.

Thai (January -February)

The Lord and his consort are taken on a procession on the 8^th day festival commemorating the sanctified marriage of the thailakappu festival performed on the full moon day of this month.

Masi(February -March)

Another grand float festival^[3] or takes place in this month, large member of devotees are offered food offerings. The float festival, popularly termed as Masi Magam, is a conducted by making the Lord Arulala Perumal with his consort Bhumi Nila to perform water float ride on the full moon day of the month. This is also termed in other areas as Odam-Thirunal.

Panguni (March -April)

During this month, the Unjal Utsavam (swing festival) conducted by the common pedestal to the Lord Arulala Perumal and Sri Thayar. With this the major monthly as well as special festivals of the year come to an end and take a cyclic return from the first month of the Tamil year viz., Chittirai. Other than these festivals, Sukkiramavaram, patcham, Alvar, Acharya birth asterism are also celebrated.

From the above legendary references it is evident that there are a number of festivals conducted at Arulala Perumal throughout the year right from ancient times.

The temple authorities have made contracts for repairing the temple premises and idols and for the supply of the needs for festivals and ceremonies. Festival occasions pave the way for social and religious harmony among the people of the region.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A.R.E., 93 of 1919.

[2]:

A.R.E., 50 of 1919.

[3]:

A.R.E., 93 of 1919.