POOJAS

Poojas to the supreme Goddess are performed religiously as described in "Parasuramakalpam" authored by Shri Parasuramar.

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DAILY POOJAS

There is an exacting but remarkably well executed schedule of daily poojas at the Sembangudi Temple, at what are called four kalams vis-à-vis Kala Sandhi, Uchi kalam, Saya-rakshai, Ardha- jamam (specified points of time).

The credit for the strict adherence and to the smooth execution of tight schedule goes to the Guru fraternity. Out of the four kalams, two are in the morning and two are in the evening. This schedule is even more demanding during festive season.

At each kalam, naivedyam followed by diparadhana to Shri Agastheeswarar, Shri Natrajar, Shri Anandhavalli, in three phases.

NAVRATRI

The concept of Navratri is the victory of good deeds over evil, by Goddess Ambal. Female kids and old women are respected and worshipped. Female kids are provided new clothing,fancy decorative items, play goods etc. and ensure they are happy. Old women are provided new clothing. Annadhanam is done throughout Navratri.

During Navaratri, pre-pubescent gals and married women are worshiped with full respect and devotion. On these nine days, Ambal is more beautifully decorated and worshipped. The splendid decoration on these days reflects her valour and courage and fills the heart of the devotees with full love, respect and devotion towards her.

Observing fast during these auspicious days and chanting / listening to ambal sthothrams and lalita sahasranamam is believed to yield good results to the worshippers.

SHRI MAHAMERU MAHOTSAV

Shri Agastheeswarar and Shri Anandhavalli Shri Mahameru Mahotsav, a yearly event, is a 3 day festival celebrated in the tamil month Masi, towards the Srichakra pradishtai Ambal and Srichakra Mahameru. And, Special poojas and ceremonial activities viz Srividhya Poojas, Suvasini poojas, Homams, Thidi Nithya Poojas and Navavarana Poojas are performed. Devotees shall be a part of this spiritual occasion with utmost devotion and be blessed by Shri Anandhavalli.

She is distinctively powerful on these days and is auspicious to visit the temple during the Utsavam. The goddess destroys evil and helps the prosperity of goodness to prosper throughout the world. Special Thirukalyana Utsavam is celebrated and is believed that those unmarried devotees get married by Shri Anandhavalli’s blessings.

THITHI NITHYA POOJA

The concept of Thithi Nithya pooja is worshipping the fifteen Nithya Devis as the powers that rule the fifteen days in the fortnight. In the bright half of the fortnight, they are worshipped starting from Kameshwari whereas the Pooja begins with Chitra Nitya in the dark half. There is a sixteenth Nitya known as Maha Nitya, who is none other than Sridevi herself from whom these fifteen emerge. The purpose of this part of the Pooja is to comprehend that time itself has emanated from, and is subordinate to Sridevi.

In our temple, Women are considered and worshipped as Devi’s form. Thithi nithya pooja is performed with 15 girls and 3 elderly women, considering them to be the form of 15 nithya devis and Sridevi herself respectively.

The Pooja then moves over to the worship of the deities in the nine enclosures of Srichakra. Pooja is offered next to five groups of Devis who are conceived to be located over the Bindu in Srichakra in a five-fold Peetha.

After this, kumkuma trisathi archanai is performed. The concluding part of the Pooja includes Dhoopa, Deepa, Naivedya, Tamboola, Karpura Nirajana and Mantra Pushpa with special Deeparadhana.

SUVASINI POOJA

After this, Suvasini Pooja and Tatvashodhana are performed. Yet another special feature of this Pooja is that it is not only the main devotee who performs the Pooja but after he has finished, others also partake in the ritual by each one performing what is known as Samayika Pooja. It is practically a very short form of the principal Pooja so that everybody present also gets the satisfaction of having himself performed the Pooja. It is also a means of training the aspirant to acquire the competence to himself perform the Pooja in due course.

Special things that one can look for:

Vedha parayanam
Annadhanam
Donating dress materials to female kids and old ladies
Feeding animals

Vedha parayanam : For the benefit of all the people in the world, Vedha parayanam is conducted at the temple on the eve of Mahautsavam. Vedha parayanam happens for 5 continous days and the group consists of 1 Ganapadigal and 7 vedha students.

Offer study and dress material to girl children: As part of our Thithi nithya poojai, we offer dress materials, study materials for the school going female kids in order to motivate them and their families to support girl children to go to school and continue their education.

Offer dress material to Old ladies: As part of our Suvasini poojai, we offer dress material to old ladies and perform pooja to them as they are considered as Devi’s form

Feeding Animals: As per our mythology, cows are worshipped as kamadhenu, the God of giving things. Feeding such an animal is considered to wipe your and your lineage sins off and provide happiness and wealth to your family and generations ahead. We have offer food

PAVITHRA UTSAVAM

Pavithra Utsavam, an yearly event, celebrated in the tamil month Aavani, is a 2 day festival, towards dispelling the sin done by us and our lineage, and thus earning good deed for generations to come. Hence, the utsavam is named as Pavithrautsavam (“Pavithra” means “Clean”). Special poojas and ceremonial activities vis-a-vis Srividhya Poojas, Suvasini poojas, Homams, Thidi Nithya Poojas and Navavarana Poojas are performed. Devotees shall be a part of this spiritual occasion with utmost devotion and be blessed by Shri Agastheeswarar and Shri Anandhavalli.

POURNAMI

Shri Parameswaran lives in Kailayam. Shri Vishnu lives in Parkadal. Similarly the most gorgeous Shri Lalithai SriVidhya abodes in Srichakram, located in midst of Shripuram. As Lord Shiva is to Lingam, and Shri Vishnu to Saligramam, Shri matha ShriVidhya Shri Rajarajeswari lives in Srichakra. Shri Mahameru is the 3 dimensional form of ShriChakram.

It’s very auspicious to celebrate Shri Rajarajeswari ShriVidhya in the form of Shri Maha Meru, the three dimensional Shrichakram. In simple words, the pooja that we do for ShriVidhya crossing the nine enclosures/veils in Shrichakram/Shri Mahameru is called as Nava-avaranam.

“Navavarana” comes from the Sanskrit “Nava” plus “avarana.” This is referring to nine enclosures, veils, or layers that are contained within the sacred Sri Chakra design.

Each avarana contains a certain number of triangles, petals or lines that correspond to specific aspects of Divine Mother’s powers of love, wisdom and pure consciousness. As we proceed through each avarana, we come closer to the central bindu, the source of bliss and divine consciousness.

PRADHOSHAM

'Pradhosham' literally means 'removal of sins'.These times are the windows of opportunity to remove karma or karmic energies that limit our potential in this current life. Pradosha, also spelled Pradosh or Pradosham, falls on the 13th lunar day (Trayodashi) during the waxing and waning phase of moon in the Hindu lunar calendar. Occurring between 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm, a period just before sunset and after sunset, is the pradosha kaalam.

It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva at Pradosh day will relieve from sins and gives Moksha. Among the poojas performed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, the Pradosha puja is considered to be more auspicious. It is believed that during Pradosha period all the universal beings and Gods come down to earth and attend the worship.

The importance of observing Pradosha is described in Pradosha Mahatmiyam from Shiva Purana and hence Shiva devotees observe Pradosha Pooja with high sanctity. Pradosha indicates the meeting of the Sun and the Moon in a horizontal line during their movement on their Axis.

CHATHURTHI

Celebrated on the 4th day after the New Moon day of every month. Lord Ganapathy, the elephant headed GOD symbolizes Inteligence & removal of hindrances and obstacles. Lord Ganapathy is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel.

Significance :
Observing virat / fasting on this day said to remove all obstacles in our venture and provide prosperity. It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this day.

ASHTAMI

It falls on the 8th lunar day (ashtami) in the fortnight of the waning moon (Krishna paksha). This is janma nakshatram of Lord Bairavar, a fearsome and ferocious manifestation of the Lord Shiva.

Significance:

In Ashtami, Worshiping Lord Bhairav helps to get rid from sufferings and pains, especially the troubles related to mysterious world.
The devotee cherishes all round success and a healthy life free from any sort of diseases. Make the best out of this auspicious day and make your life beautiful.

AANI THIRUMANJANAM

The word "Thirumanjanam" means Holy bath. Aani Thirumanjanam (Tamil month spanning June-July) is a special day (Uthram Nakshtram) when an Abhishekam is performed for Lord Nataraja . It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan to his devotees in the months Aani and Margazhi. The Lord's form demonstrates his five-fold functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation.

The rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation
His raised right arm with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection
His left hand holding fire destruction
His firmly placed foot concealment, and
His other, slightly lifted, leg salvation.

Another important festival that is dedicated to Lord Nataraja is the Arudhra Darshan.

AARUDHRA DARSHAN- CELEBRATION OF COSMIC DANCE OF LORD SHIVA

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ANNADHANAM

In our tradition, serving spiritual seekers and monks was of utmost importance. In fact for many, this was a path in itself. The most beautiful expression of this was the Annadhanam, the offering of food.

Contribute for Annadhanam : Experience the joy of contributing to something meaningful with your Annadhanam at Shri Anandhavalli temple on Navaratri /Pournami / Maha Utsavam / any other day or occasion of your choice. As a mark of our gratitude, we will acknowledge your offering for temple activities and you will also receive Anandhavalli’s Prasadam.

Feeding animals:
Whether it is through cash contributions or donations in kind, time, or expertise, Shri Anandhavalli Foundation offers a variety of opportunities for you to extend your support. Donations can be made directly to specific activities of your choice or to the general fund of the Foundation that supports a host of activities.

Your contributions help us to reach out to more and more people offering opportunities and encouraging sustainable living, thus fulfilling Sadhguru's vision of creating a joyful, loving and peaceful world for all.