Special dressings (Alankara): Special pujas are conducted in the temple on New Moon and Full Moon days with Homas at night. The deity is dressed very beautifully after the pujas as one of the noted Ambicas in our temples. For example, the dressings will be like that Samayapuram Mariamman or Madurai Meenakshi. She will look as Sri Andal in Margazhi (December-January) and with crystal white dress as Mother Saraswathi on the Saraswathi Puja day. People start the education (Aksharapyasa) of their infant children on this day writing on their tongue with lotus buds. The Alankaras and pujas would be in tune with the deity in various places and this will continue till the next full moon days. Nivedhanas also change accordingly.
Prayer for marriage: Lord Shiva graces in this temple as Ashtothara Linga, i.e. sculpting 108 lingas in a big linga. Nandhi, the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva is below the Avudayar – the seat on which Linga is installed. Those facing obstacle in marriage offer turmeric garlands to Lord and Ambica. According to astrology, the seventh and eighth place in the horoscopes of men and women respectively determine their happy marital life. Accordingly, men go round the tree here seven times clockwise and anti clockwise and women eight times.
Sugarcane juice Pongal: The temple is situated on the western bank of Mullai River. Mother Ambica is holding the trident, snake and Udukkai and kumkum. A three day festival is followed from the Tuesday during Navarathri. On these days, devotees carry fire pots and milk pots as their prayer commitment to the Goddess. Sweet porridge is offered as Nivedhana to the Goddess on Tuesdays, Fridays, New Moon and Full Moon days.
There is a Linga called Pathala Vaideeswarar Lingam in a pit made of herbals. Those suffering from prolonged illness pray to the Lord here. Sri Kamakshi Amman is in a separate shrine with palm roof. On Shivarathri day, a pudding (pongal) is made with bamboo rice and sugarcane juice as nivedhana.
There are shrines for Vinayaka, Gowmari and Bhagavati Amman. |