Srirangam Renganathar Temple Festivals
Festivals at Srirangam
Srirangam is place which celebrates festivals all over the year (365 days, 365 festivals). Some times lord renganathar use to come across the streets of srirangam like how kings use to meet his people (this ritual is called as the “perumal purapadu”). Under here a list of festivals all over the months is given(Tamil year starts with chithirai month and ends with Panguni month).
Festivals in the Chitra Month
In this month car festival is celebrated, large number of people from all over the country visit the holy place srirangam and celebrate this festival in a grand manner.Especially Village people come in large number.
Festivals in the Vaikasi Month
In this month vasanthotsava(The spring festival) is celebrated for nine days before the vaikasi Full Moon day. This Festival is celebrated in the garden which is situated to the north of the chakarathalvar(lord perumal has two weapons each in his both hands. One called “charka” and the another one is called “chanka”.chakarathalwar is considered to be the god who is in the form of charka.) sanathee.
Festivals in the Aani Month
The holy water brought in gold and silver pots from the rivers “cauvery”and “kollidam” is used for thiru manjana(same as” abishagam”), next day of thiru manjana a maha naivaden(offering to the god) is conducted using large number of steamed rice(called “thiruppavadai”).And then the rice is distributed to the devotees as a prasadam .
Festivals in the Aady Month
Aady 18 is one of famous festival in srirangam(also in many parts of tamilnadu in situated in the banks of river ”cauvery”). On that day lord renganatha goes to Amma Mandapam(as said earlier as “purappadu”).
Festivals in the Avani Month
Pavithrotsava is celebrated to the Lord Renganatha for nine days following that Krishna jayanthi is celebrated . Uri-Adi(a pot filled with water is suspended over a rope.and the milk grocer community people ,after hiding their eyes .use to hit it.This is a ritual which remembers that lord Krishna also belonged to that community) takes place at the south gate near Patala(under ground) Krishna Temple.
Festivals in the Puratasi Month
Navarathri (9 days) Utsava takes place at Sri Renga Nachiyar Sannathi. The Elephant called “andal” of srirangam temple will play tricks like dancing with one leg lifted and plays mouthorgan. Sri renganatha goes to Kattu Alagia Singaperumal koil in remembrance of Killing Vaniyasura and comes out in a Horse Vahana.
Festivals in the Aipasi Month
Unjal Utsava (9 days) is celebrated in this month. In this entire month the holy water from river cauvery will be taken for renganathar’s abishegam (holy bath) using golden pot (normally copper pots will be used. Some times silver pots also)
Festivals in the Karthikai Month
Like other places of tamil nadu light festival (arrangement of small lamps inside and out side the house in a beautiful fleet) is celebrated also here. Pearumal takes a special thirumanjanam and comes out through the streets of srirangam in a carriage decorated with beautiful flowers. Blaze-fire or chockpanai is the important festival at the end of the day after perumal hears the annual account read by kanakku pillai(treasurer).
Festivals in the Margali Month
The important festival of this month is the recital of thiru pavai (the poems composed by “Andal” an important lady devotee of lord perumal). Next to this comes the vaikunda ekadasi festival in which perumal use to be seen in dasavathara alangaram (symbolizing the ten incarnations of the lord Vishnu).
Festivals in the Thai Month
The thai car festival is the important festival of this month. Also the pongal festival called as the festival of tamilians (Mainly farmers) is celebrated in this month.
Festivals in the Masi Month
Teppotsava is important in this month. Which is a Festival where lord perumal is floated on a teppam (boat) in the tank situated to the west of the temple.
Festivals in the Panguni Month
Adhi brahmotsava is conducted in this month and also the panguni uthra day is observed. Next to that lord enjoys the chariot festival (called as “Rathasaptami”).