Most Popular Temples to visit in Tamil Nadu for Navaratri Pooja..
Navratri, in Hinduism, is a major festival held in honour of the divine feminine. Navratri occurs over 9 days usually during (September–October). It often ends with the Dussehra (also called Vijayadashami) celebration on the 10th day. Dasara is considered the most auspicious day of all the 12 days. It is believed that any new venture that is started on this day will turn successful. Whether it is starting a business or introducing a child to the world of letters, the locals wait for this day, to get the blessings of the Goddess.
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Mutharamman Temple in Kulasekharapattinam, Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, Woraiyur Vekkali Amman Temple, and Samayapuram Mariamman Temple are some of the most famous temples in Tamil Nadu that are visited especially for their grand celebrations of Navarathri.
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
The annual Navarathri festival at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is about to begin within a few weeks and now itself thousands of devotees are expected to visit the temple to see the golu arrangement that has been put up as part of the celebrations. During the Navarathiri festival, the Goddess was seen in the form of Rajarajeswari on the first day in the decorated Golu mandapam in the temple.
The golu including various vehicles used for taking the deities on processions during the festivals, and the dolls depicting various celestial dramas enacted by Lord Shiva have been kept at the golu mandapam. During the festivals, the golden images of the many deities are taken out in procession into the city streets accompanied by beautiful elephants. The images clad in silks and jewellery and covered in garlands are carried in decorated chariots to the beat of drums and flutes. There is the loud chanting of mantras as crowds surge around the chariots to catch a glimpse of the deities and offer a quick prayer.
Mutharamman Temple, Kulasekharapatinam
Mutharamman Temple located near Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu is a temple that celebrates Navratri in a unique way.
Unlike other Durga temples that celebrate the festival for 9 days or less than that, Mutharamman Temple has a 12-day long celebration which is a grand festival which would be attended by thousands of devotees and tourists.
The two major deities worshipped here are Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. Though the temple is known for the swayambhu idol of Shiva, Parvati is also given equal importance as Mutharamman. Devotees flock in to get cured of illnesses and bad luck, bringing them good health and fortune. Another interesting part about the Dasara celebrations here is that during the festival, devotees dress up in various costumes as monkeys, beggars, etc. and can be seen begging.
From a layman to a wealthy businessman, all are seen dressed as the poor and found begging. The belief is that God appears in any form on this day. When the houses are filled with Golu dolls (which are something unique to Dasara), in this temple people dress up as beggars and beg so that they lose their ego and pride, bringing out the divinity in them at its fullest.
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kamakshi is the main deity of the temple. The idol is seated in the centre of the inner sanctum of the shrine from the Gayatri Mandapa.
Sharada Navaratri Mahotsavam at – Shri Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam would begin within a few weeks and now itself the temple atmosphere seems to be very peaceful and we can soon expect for a grand celebration of Navaratri festival event at this temple.
The Sharada Navaratri Mahotsavam will be celebrated at Sri Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam, Kanchipuram during October 2024. Special Pujas and alankaram will be performed to Sri Kamakshi Amman.
The utsavam will commence with Poorvanga Chandi Homam, Vastu Shanti, Rakshabandhanam and yagashala pujas and Soorasamharam will take place during October (Durgashtami), Saraswati Puja, and on the 12th October – Vijayadashami – Navavarana Poorti will take place. Oonjal Utsavam will also be performed during the Navaratri days.
Cultural Programmes will be held as part of the Navaratri Mahotsavam in Kamakshi Ambal temple every day evening. Nitya Veda Parayanam will take place during the Navaratri Utsavam.
Woraiyur Vekkali Amman Temple
Tamil Nadu, India’s southernmost state, is a temple treasure, with each temple possessing a trait that distinguishes it from the others. One such temple is the Vekkali Amman temple Trichy, worshiped by chola king. Which is another form of goddess Kali & dedicated to goddess Vekkali. It’s located at Woraiyur, a suburb of tiruchirappalli temple around 7 kilometers away.
The Goddess is believed to give great strength, willpower, peace, and harmony. The divine spirit of Uraiyur Vekkali Amman can be felt as quick as one visits the temple. Devotees visit the magnificent temple to worship God, seek blessings, and express gratitude for everything the Goddess has bestowed them. The Goddess’s shrine at Vekkali Amman temple is a wonderful gold and silver architecture with a magnificent chariot. Alternatively, one can write their wishes on a piece of paper and place them in a box. Many visitors experience that their wishes have come true, and their faith in Vekkali Amman’s divine power has grown stronger with each day.
The temple is at its best during the Chithirai festival, Navarathri and Thai Velli when the Goddess’s idol is decorated with jewellery and a series of pujas are arranged. We should not forget to view the wonderfully made golden chariot whenever we visit this marvellous temple.
Samayapuram Mariamman Temple
The Navaratri festival is about to start at Samayapuram Arulmigu Mariamman temple near Trichy with the usual pomp and grandeur.
The annual temple festival held for nine days is celebrated with processions and special prayers and attracts thousands of people from nearby areas. For nine days, abishekams will be performed for the Mariamman idol.
The Navarathri festival at Samayapuram Mariamman temple will begin on October. According to Devi Bhagavatham, Agni Bhagavatham, Agni Puranam and Devi Mahamityam, Mother Durga, Mahalakshmi and Saraswathi performed penance on the first and middle and last day respectively to destroy the unrighteous demon Mahishasura.
On the Vijayadashami festival day, Ambal leaves on a silver horse vehicle and reaches Vanni tree and arrow throwing program will also takes place. During Navratri Utsavam every evening at 4.30 pm, special abhishekam, decoration and deepathan will take place and at 6 pm, the Utsava idol of Ambal will leave and will be seated in the west prakara navaratri mandapam of the temple and she would remarkably bless her devotees.
“OM SRI NAVARATRI NAYAKIYE EN ANNAIYE NAMO NAMAHA”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR