Chithirai Festival

The Chithirai Festival begins on the 5th day of the bright half of the month of Chithirai. The key events fall on the 8th, 9th and the 10th days of the festival. The eighth day of the Chithirai Festival witnesses the coronation of Meenakshi and procession on silver thrones, while the 9th day is the digvijaya festival. The 10th day (Chitra Purnima) marks the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar.

Legend has it that Vishnu gave his sister away in marriage to Shiva. In commemoration of this legend, an image of Vishnu is brought in procession from Tirupparamkunram to Madurai. Since Subramanya is the presiding deity of the Tirupparamkunram temple, an image of Subramanya leads the procession. Following the wedding, images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are taken out in a grand procession on a palanquin and a silver elephant respectively. (It is to be noted that the Tirukkalyaanam festival is celebrated on Chitra Purnima in all Shiva temples celebrating the annual Bhramhotsavam in the month of Chithirai Festival).

During this time, Kallazhagar from Azhagar Kovil (Tirumaaliruncholai) makes a visit to Vandiyur, near the Vaigai River, on the eastern outskirts of Madurai. It is believed that Kallazhagar realizes that he is too late for his sisters wedding, so refuses to cross the river and returns disappointed to Azhagar Kovil.

Mahamagam Festival

The Kasi Viswanathar Temple in the temple town of Kumbakonam is associated with the Mahamagam festival which occurs once every 12 years; when 9 of the saters of the revered rivers in India are believed to assemble in the Mahamagam tank. The major Shivastalams in Kumbakonam are the Kumbheswarar Temple, Kudandaikaronam and Nageswarar Temple; this is one of the 3 Kayarohana Stalams in Tamilnadu, the other 3 being Kanchikkaronam and Naagaikkaronam. The term Kayarohana stalam is equivalent in meaning to a shrine where all beings become one with Shiva during the great deluge. Other temples in Kumbakonam include the Ramaswamy temple and the Vaishnava Divya Desam Sarangapani temple.

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Legends

Rama and Lakshmana are said to have worshipped Shiva here during their search for Sita, and acquired Rudramsam, to enable them to fight Ravana. Legend has it that the nine sacred rivers of India, prayed to Shiva at Banares (Viswanathar)to be absolved of the sins washed away by bathers, and were directed to bathe in the Mahamagam tank and worship Aadi Kumbheswarar. Viswanathar of Kasi is believed to have manifested himself here at Kumbakonam at Kudandaikaronam.

History

The name Kayarohana is associated with the Lakulisa Pasupata Saiva sect which originated in Gujarat. This sect of saivism is said to have been widespread in Tamilnadu during the days of Mahendravarma Pallavan.

The Temple

This temple with 2 prakarams and a 72 ft high Rajagopuram is situated on the Northern bank of the Mahamagam tank. Images of the 9 river Goddesses (one of which is Kaveri) are seen in this temple.

Festivals

Four worship services are offered each day here. Masi Magam is the most important annual festivals in south india celebrated.