Annual Festival 2026: Varudanantha Pongal Vizha & Shandi Maha Yaga Peruvizha
The 2026 festival is a Varudanantha Pongal Vizha combined with the Shandi Maha Yaga Peruvizha — a nine-day cycle of homams, Vasantha Mandapa Pujas and evening uthsavams that begins with a prelude day on Sunday, 5 July, and concludes with Vairavar Shanthi on Tuesday, 14 July.
The 5th day of July opens with the Maha Ganapathi Homam in the morning and the Anugnai Vasthu Shanthi Pravesa Vali in the evening — invoking Ganesha and preparing the temple precinct for the days to follow.
Kodietram (Dhwajarohanam) — the ceremonial flag-hoisting that formally opens the festival — takes place at 12 noon on Monday, 6 July. Each of the following days begins at 7 a.m. with the Lalitha Sahasra Nama Homam and Abhishekam, an 11 a.m. Vasantha Mandapa Puja with the Ambaal's Uḷ Veethi procession, and a signature evening uthsavam at 6 p.m.
The evening highlights follow a traditional Saiva agama sequence: Veda Parayana Uthsavam on Day 2, Bhakti Mukthi Payana Uthsavam on Day 3, Vettai Thiruvizha with Prayaschitta Abhishekam on Day 4, Thiru Kalyana Uthsavam (the sacred wedding) on Day 5, Nattiyanjali Uthsavam (dance offering) on Day 6, and the Sumangali Puja followed by the Ambaal Thiru Veethi Ula on Day 7.
The 8th day — Monday, 13 July — is Pongal Vizha itself. Shanti Homa kriyaigal begin at 6 a.m., followed by the Vishesha Maha Yagam and Pakuda Paruḷi Homam at 9 a.m. Navasakthi Archana and the Suvami Uḷ Veethi Ula follow the 11 a.m. Vasantha Mandapa Puja. Pongal is prepared and offered at 8 p.m., alongside the Thiru Oonjal Uthsavam (sacred swing), the concluding Dhwajarohanam and Kodi Iranga (flag lowering), and the final Ambaal Thiru Veethi Ula.
Devotee families sponsor days of the festival as Upayakarar — each day's homams, pujas and archanai are supported directly by the sponsoring family, with prasadam offered to every devotee present. Application forms are available at the temple office; sponsors may also contribute towards the daily Sumangali Puja, Pongal supplies, and floral / camphor offerings listed in the printed announcement.
The festival concludes on Tuesday, 14 July with the Vairavar Shanthi. Annadanam — free meals — is provided on every day of the festival to all who come. For sponsorship enquiries, contact the temple office on 077 4400245.
