Great Fun At Our Temples
Throughout the year religious festivals of Sanatana Dharma keep temple devotees spiritually energised and entertained.
There are weekly /monthly occasions like Tuesday and Friday Pooja; Vishnu, Pradosham, Navagraha and Bhairava Pooja on Saturdays and Pournami (full moon) and Amavasya (no moon) Pooja. All Pooja is carried out with compulsory accompaniment of the traditional Nadhaswaram (wooden trumpet) and Thavil (drum) music.
In the Gregorian calendar year beginning, come a variety of colourful festivals including Vaigkuntha Ekafasi (Jan. 10), Pongal (harvest festival, Jan.14), Thaipusam (Feb. 11), Maha Shivaratri (Feb. 26), Rama Navami & Ugadi, Telugu New Year (March 30), Putthaandu, Vishu and Vaisakhi (Tamil, Malayalam and Punjabi New Year, April 14), Aadi Perukku (Aug. 2), Krishna Jayanthi (Aug.16), Vinayagar Chathurthi (Aug. 27), Navarathri (Sept. 22 – Oct. 2), Deepavali (Oct. 20), Karthikai Deepam (Dec. 4 ).
Cultural performances including Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance), drama and Bhajans (group singing of devotional songs with musical accompaniment) are held and Prasadam (sanctified foodstuff) is distributed on these occasions.
Of course every temple has its Thiruvizha which usually falls on the anniversary of its consecration day ceremony. A banana leaf vegetarian lunch is the main feature of the Thiruvizha.
Generally temples hold Thevaram (recital of poetry written by ancient Nayanmar saints), Bharatanatyam, and Carnatic music.for children and adults.
