By Udappur Veerasokkan Correspondent for Virakesari, Udappu Sri Lanka
This article marks the Annual Theerthotsavam-Water Cutting Ceremony at Munneswaram on Sep 15, 2008
Munneswaram is the foremost and famous Hindu Temple in Southern Sri Lanka. It has all the three key glories of a Hindu holy place-Moorthi (Idol), Theertham (Holy water point) and Thalam (temple).
Located in the town Chilaw in North West Province, Munneswaram is attended by devotees of Sinhalese and Tamil communities to worship and guidanceship.
The temple is a symbol of unity and glows with harmony in devotion among Sinhalese and Tamils-two of the major ethnicities in Sri Lanka.
[Lord Ganesh at the Main entrance of Munneswaram-Pic by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai]
“Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar”-the sixth century poetess is an embodiment of prayer and devotion; she is one of the early Saints of the Hindu Thirumurai, who was acclaimed by the Lord himself as “Ammaiye”-O Mother!
Mahen Chanmugam has been painting for over thirty five years, and has devoted the last twelve to portraying Lord Ganesh. His art attempts to present the complex symbolism and iconography surrounding Lord Ganesh in a colourful, contemporary form.
The combination of his elephant-like head and a quick moving vahana (vehicle) represents tremendous wisdom,intelligence and presence of mind
The 11th Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi (Festival of Music) was organised by the Colombo Kamban Kazhagam, which was held from March 15th-22nd 2008, at Ramakrishna Mission hall. Thyagaraja Aradhana was performed by the participating musicians and artistes on March 12th 2008, before the mega Festival of Music began on March 15th 2008.
Local musicians decorated the Isai Arnagu at dusk, while the Indian musicians decorated the Isai Per Arangu in the nights. The hall was packed with the Carnatic music lovers.
The 11th Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi (Festival of Music) was organised by the Colombo Kamban Kazhagam, which was held from March 15th-22nd 2008, at Ramakrishna Mission hall. Thyagaraja Aradhana was performed by the participating musicians and artistes on March 12th 2008, before the mega Festival of Music began on March 15th 2008.
Local musicians decorated the Isai Arnagu at dusk, while the Indian musicians decorated the Isai Per Arangu in the nights. The hall was packed with the Carnatic music lovers.
The 11th Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi (Festival of Music) is held annually by the Colombo Kamban Kazhagam.
Members of Kamban Kazhagam got displaced from Jaffna in 1995, and relocated themselves in Colombo. The activities of the Kamban Kazhagaman began soon after the relocation in Colombo.
Local musicians decorated the Isai Aranagu at dusk, while the Indian musicians decorated the Isai Per Arangu in the nights. The hall was packed with the Carnatic music lovers.
Here is a pictorial of Day 1:
Instrumentalists taking part in Thyagarajah Aradhana before the inauguration of eight days long Festival of Music
“Puththaandu” or “Puthu Varusham” literally translates New Year. The New Year is the harbinger of spring. Tamil and Sinhala New Year dawns on April 13th 2008 at 4.55 pm according to Vaakkiya Panchaangam, and at 6.29 pm according to Thirukanitha Panchaangam on Poosam Natchaththiram first stage. Vishu Punniya Kaalam or auspicious time is 12.55 pm to 8.55pm. Panchaangam is an almanac.
“Sapparam”- the colourful festival was held at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam on March 19th. This particular festival takes place in the night at temples. The “Sapparam” is a lighted vehicle for the conveyance of the idol.
The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam began with hoisting of the “Nanthi” flag on March 12th 2008. Special poojas were held during the festival time. The temple was decorated with fresh flowers, mango leaves, and variety of “Kolam” designs.
All the idols were carried by men inside the temple, before the main idols of Sivakami Amman and Swarnasabeswarar were placed in Sapparam. The Sapparam was painted in gold, while lights were lit around it. It carried the main idol of Sivakami Amman and Swarnasabeswarar and pulled by the devotees. Men carried the other idols Pillaiyar, Murugan accompanied by Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Amman on their shoulders.
Devotees gathered at the temple in the morning and evening to participate in the special poojas and procession with the idols. Sapparam was held on the eighth day of the annual festival at night, after the animal pilgrimage. Sivakami Amman accompanied by Swarnasabeswarar, Pillaiyar, Murugan accompanied by Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Amman, and Sandeswarar were taken on a colourful procession on inner and outer routes of the temple.
[Slide Show of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Sapparam]
“Navathaaniyam”- nine grains are grown during the festival in front of the Yakasaalai
Enchanting parade inside the temple
Side view of the sculptures of the Kopuram
Beautifully decorated Sivakami Amman Sametha Swarna Sabeswarar at Vasantha Mandapam, where special poojas are held during the festival
Devotees flocked to the temple
Daily worship in Hinduism usually takes place in three different places such as in the home, in a temple, and at a street side shrine
Pooja is performed by the chief priest Baklasunthara Kurukkal in front of the Yakasaalai
Pillaiyar is being carried by men
These temple torches are called “Theevatti”. They are being carried in front of the processin. “Theevatti” is made of cotton cloth dipped in coconut oil.
Murugan with Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Ammai are being carried by men
Sivakami Amman Sametha Swarnasabeswarar are in procession in a Sapparam
Full moon in Kochchikade
A female devotee is carrying a clay pot of burning camphor
Kannan Sharma offers Panchchararththi
Sapparam is being pulled by the devotees
Rajan Sharma accompanies the idols in the Sapparam
Sapparam takes place on the previous day of the chariot festival
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Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com
The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam began with hoisting of the Nanthi flag on March 12th 2008 during the Tamil month of March (Panguni). The festival was held for ten days. Special poojas were held in the morning and afternoon during the festival. The temple was decorated with Kolam, thoranam and flower garlands.
Miruga Yaththirai or Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage) was held on the 8th day of the festival- March 19th 2008 at dusk. Colourfully decorated brass idol was carried by a divine vehicle of horse, which was carried by men on their shoulders.
The place where the Vettai Thiruvizha has taken place on Kizhakku Veethi was decorated with white loincloth, fresh vegetables such as brinjals, long beans, ash plantains bitter gourd and snake gourd along with mango leaves and thoranam. Men taken the idol thrice around the place on their shoulders while a small pooja was performed at the venue by the chief priest of the temple. Thavil and Nathaswaram were played throughout the festival.
The chief priest of the temple Balasunthara Kurukkal slowly began to cut the coir, on which the fresh vegetables were hung. Devotees clasped hands, prayed and chanted “Arogara”. Later the vegetables were wrapped in the loincloth and placed on top of the divine vehicle horse and taken around the temple primises. The priest tied a piece of silk on the foot of the horse to mark the success of the Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage). And Vermillion was placed on the forehead of the idol by the priest. At the end of the festival the devotees accompanied the idol back to the temple.
Front view of the Kopuram
Horse the divine vehicle for Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage) waits outside the temple
Venue for the Vettai Thiruvizha
Idol is being brought out of the temple
Miruga Yaththirai or animal pilgrimage is held on the eighth day during the annual festival
Final touch is given before the procession begins
Beautifully decorated idol is kept in front of the temple
Miruga Yatthirai is a rare occasion to witness at the temples in Colombo
It is one of the most colourful festivals held at this temple
Panchararththi is offered before the procession
Devotees thronged the temple to witness the rare festival
Idol is taken on procession on the Vadakku veethi of the temple
Idol is being brought to the venue
Chief priest Balasunthara Kurukkal perfoms pooja at the site
Idol is carried by the divine vehicle horse, and the horse is carried by male devotees
Devotees arrive at the site
The idol is welcomed at the site
Hunting for the vegetables begins
Animal Pilgrimage is held to chase away the ill evils
Thavil and Nathaswaram added the enchanting rhythm to the festival
The idol is taken on parade around the venue
Devotees witnessing the festival
A piece of silk is being tied on the foot of the horse by the chief priest to mark the success of the festival
Flower petals are sprinkled and the idol is worshiped
The idol is being accompanied back to the temple by the devotees
Camphor is offered to the idol
Variety of Kolam designs were drawn throughout the temple this day
Heavy wooden horse was carried by men for several hours on their shoulders
Waiting for the final ritual
Rajan Sharma offers Panchchararththi straight to Moolasthaanam from outside the temple at the main entrance
