Thirukameswarar Temple, Villianur – Festivals

Thirukameswarar Temple, Villianur – Festivals

Festivals celebrated in this temple are listed below;

Vaikasi Brahmotsavam:

The main event, Brahmotsavam, is celebrated for ten days from the Full Moon day in Vaikasi Swati (May to June). The most popular festival of the temple is Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, in this Brahmotsavam, Car festival is very significant.

Days	Details of the Festival
1	First day festival - Flag hoisting
2	Second day festival - Abhishekam, Panchamurthis taken out in procession along four majesty streets in Rishaba Vahanam, Peacock and Indra Vimanam Vahanam.
3	Third day festival - Abhishekam, Panchamurthis taken out in procession along four majesty streets in Rishaba Vahanam, Peacock, Indra Vimanam Vahanam.
4	Fourth day festival - Abhishekam, Panchamurthis taken out in procession along four majesty streets in Rishaba Vahanam and Golden Rishaba Vahanam & Parivettai.
5	Fifth day festival - Abhishekam, Panchamurthis taken out in procession along four majesty streets in Rishaba Vahanam, Peacock and Silver elephant Vahanam.
6	Sixth day festival - Abhishekam, Panchamurthis taken out in procession along four majesty streets in Rishaba Vahanam, Peacock and Silver elephant Vahanam.
7	Seventh day festival - Abhishekam, Panchamurthis taken out in procession along four majesty streets in Karpagavritcham, Kamadenu vahanam and Naga vahanam.
8	Eighth day festival, Evening above 4 P.M and within 5.30 PM - Lord Pichandar festival Evening above 6 P.M - Swamy - Ambal Wedding festival, Horse vahanam, Panchamurthis taken out in procession along four majesty streets.
9	Ninth day festival - Car Festival
10	Tenth day festival - Car Stand festival, Sri Natarajar and Ambal Abhishekam at car stand, Swamy taken out in procession, Night Theppam festival and the flag would be lowered

Car Festival:

The Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated for 10 days during the Tamil month of Vaikasi and begins with the flag hoisting on the first day. On the 9th day the Car festival is celebrate with very grand. This temple Car festival is biggest festival in around Puducherry state. Car is massive 15-meter-tall (67 feet), During French Colonial rule, the Governor of Puducherry used to join this very procession and actively participate in the drawing of the chariot through the streets. This tradition lives on with the present Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry participating in the festival now.

Presiding Deity Kameswarar with his consort Kokilambal is taken out for the demonstration in the well-decorated chariot. The devotees pull this chariot and it is regarded as the holiest tradition of pulling the holy chariot. This festival has typical Hindu customs where the devotees offer curd, sandal, buttermilk and sandals to the crowd. The devotees believe that their wishes are to be will be fulfilled if they pull the chariot.

Chitrai 63 - Saints Nayanmars Pooja:

This temple is popular for the idols of 63 Nayanmars or Shaivite saints established in the courtyard. The idols are made of bronze and the famous Arupathimoovar Festival is the celebrated in honor of the 63 Nayanmars. The Arupathimoovar Festival is celebrated in Tamil month of Chithirai full moon day.

The Chitra festival is celebrated with abhisheka and pooja for Sri Chandra Sekarar and 63 Nayanmars of both stone Statue and festival idols. During this festival, the 63 saints of Lord Shiva Chandrasekharar are honored for leading ideal lives of penance and devotion. The Chithirai 63 Nayanmar festival includes a colorful procession through the streets of Villianur. Offerings of flowers and fruits are made to the deities. Streets and houses of devotees are decorated with Kolams.

Margazhi Sri Natarajar Pooja:

Thiruvempavai festival would be conducted for ten days. Every day, Nataraja and Sivakami will be adorned with different Ornament and special pooja will be conducted.

Arudhra Dharshan:

Manickavasagar would be taken out in procession along majesty streets. In the mornings Thiruvempavai and Thirupalli Ezhuchi lyrics would be recited and there will be religious discourses by spiritual leaders. competitions would be conducted for school and college students and prizes presented.

Surya Pooja:

Rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity on 9, 11 and 19 in the month of Panguni (March-April) offering his worship to the Lord. During this period in every year, the special pooja are conducted to the deity of Thirukameswarar.

Other Festivals:

On the Poornima days (Full Moon day) devotees crowd this Hindu temple, it is believed that a full moon day when falls on a Sunday the darshan would be more powerful. Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July, Brahmmotsavam to Mother-Goddess in Aadi Pooram in July-August, Aipasi Skanda Sashti and Annabishekam in October-November and Karthikai Laksha Deepam (lighting one lakh lamps) in November-December, are the festivals celebrated in the temple.