THILLAI NATARAJA CHIDAMBARAM TEMPLE AANI THIRUMANJANA MAHAABHISHEKAM ON 15 – 07 – 2021

Programme: AANI THIRUMANJANA MAHAABHISHEKAM 3.30 a.m., AANI DHARSANAM @2.00 p.m.

 

Just as six poojas are performed in a day at the sanctum sanctorum, six anointing ceremonies are performed for the principal deity - Lord Nataraja in a year. They are the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December - January )  - the first pooja , the fourteenth day after the new moon ( chaturdasi) of the month of Masi ( February - March) - the second pooja, the Chittirai Thiruvonam ( in April- May) - the third pooja, the Uthiram of Aani (June- July) also called the Aani Thirumanjanam - the fourth pooja , the chaturdasi of Aavani (August-September) - the fifth pooja and the chaturdasi of the month of Puratasi ( October - November) - the sixth pooja or Arthajama.

Of these the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai and the Aani Thirumanjanam are the most important. These are conducted as the key festivals with the main deity being brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in a procession that included a temple car procession followed by a long anointing ceremony. Several hundreds of thousands of people flock the temple to see the anointing ceremony and the ritualistic dance of the Lord when He is taken back to the sanctum sanctorum.

Hence out of the six important poojas conducted during a year to Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram Temple – also known as Sri Sabanayagar temple, , two are important poojas and amongst the two, Aani Thirumanjanam or Aani Uthiram which falls on the 15th July 221, will be performed in a grand manner with devotion witnessed by many devotees.

The word "Thirumanjanam" means holy bath / Abhishekam. Aani Thirumanjanam is performed to Lord Nataraja on the Uthira Nakshatram in the month of Aani. Special rituals and processions are held on the day at Nataraja temple in Chidambaram.

 

Lord Nataraja represents the cosmic form of Shiva, the lord's wonderful form set within a flaming halo and representing his five fold functions - he holds in his upper right hand the udukkai (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation), his upper left hand holds agni (the fire representing destruction), with his lower right hand, he makes abhayamudra (the gesture that allays fear and bestows protection), the dwarf-like figure being trampled by his right foot represents apasmara purusha (illusion/concealment), and Shiva's front left hand pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the troubled soul (representing salvation).

It is believed that it was on Aani Uthiram day that Lord Shiva appeared before sage Manikkavachakar under a kurundai tree and offered Upadesam (advice). The important ritual of Upadesa Kaatchi is performed on Aani Uthiram at Atmanathan temple in Avudayar Koil (near Pudukottai) as part of ten day long festivities and include the pulling of the chariot with idol of saint-poet Sri Manikkavachakar around the car streets surrounding the temple.

 

Several saints were born in the month of Aani including the great Vaishnavite saint Periyalwar, saint Arunagirinathar who gave us the nectar of Thiruppugazh, and Nada Munigal who showed 'Divya Prabandam' to the world.

 

E-Touch is looking forward to that auspicious day to pray for all of us.