TempleFestival – Thiruvilakku Puja Observed in Mayiladuthurai Village
TempleFestival – Devotees gathered in large numbers on Friday to mark a special Thiruvilakku Puja at the Sri Thunga Balasthanambika Sametha Kadrasundareswarar Temple in Kanjanagaram village, located in Tharangambadi taluk of Mayiladuthurai district. The ceremony coincided with the final Friday of the Tamil month of Thai, a day considered spiritually significant by many worshippers in the region.
Traditional Ceremony Marks Auspicious Day
The temple premises were filled with the glow of oil lamps as women and families assembled for the ritual. Participants brought offerings that included flowers, fruits, and sweets, which were arranged before the deities with devotion. The lighting of the sacred lamps formed the centerpiece of the ceremony, symbolizing faith and prosperity.
Priests at the temple conducted the rituals according to established customs. Vedic chants and devotional hymns echoed through the halls as worshippers joined in collective prayer. The atmosphere remained solemn yet celebratory, reflecting the cultural importance of the occasion.
Eleventh Year of Ongoing Collective Worship
This year’s observance marked the eleventh edition of the ongoing series of Thiruvilakku Pujas organized at the temple. As part of the ritual, rows of lamps were placed before the participants, who invoked the divine presence while offering kumkum and flowers. The act of lighting the lamp is considered sacred and is traditionally associated with invoking divine grace.
Women played a central role in the ceremony. Many offered prayers seeking harmony within their families, strength in marriage, and overall well-being. The archana performed during the ritual involved symbolic offerings made to the lit lamps, representing devotion and gratitude.
The ceremony concluded with the Maha Deeparadhana, during which the main temple lamp was waved before the deities amid chants and ringing bells. Devotees received blessings and sacred offerings before dispersing.
A Widespread Practice Across Tamil Nadu
Group Thiruvilakku Puja ceremonies are a familiar sight across towns and villages in Tamil Nadu. Women often gather in significant numbers—sometimes 108, 1008, or even more—to light lamps simultaneously and participate in collective prayer. Such events are organized both at temples and in community halls, reinforcing shared traditions and spiritual bonds.
The ritual is deeply rooted in Tamil culture and has been passed down through generations. It is regarded as an expression of faith and a means of seeking prosperity and peace for the household. For many participants, the lighting of the lamp represents the removal of darkness and the welcoming of positive energy.
Symbolism of the Sacred Lamp
The traditional brass lamp, commonly referred to as the Thiruvilakku or Kuthu Vilakku, holds an important place in South Indian homes and temples. In Hindu belief, the lit lamp symbolizes knowledge, purity, and prosperity. It is associated with Goddess Mahalakshmi, who is revered as the embodiment of wealth and well-being.
Collective worship centered around the sacred lamp is believed to strengthen community ties while reinforcing spiritual discipline. The ceremony emphasizes devotion, gratitude, and shared prayer, values that remain integral to Tamil religious life.
Friday’s observance at the Mayiladuthurai temple reflected these enduring traditions. With participation from devotees across the locality, the event once again highlighted the cultural and spiritual significance of Thiruvilakku Puja in the region.