MADURAI, INDIA, March 24, 2013 (The Hindu): Thousands of devotees witnessed the kumbabishekam of Sri Thirumarainathar Temple in Tiruvathavur, performed after a gap of 14 years, on Wednesday. The Sri Thirumarainathar Temple, which is more than 1,600 years old, is one of the sub-temples of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
The temple was renovated ahead of the kumbabishekam at a cost of about US$165,000, said P. Jayaraman, Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department and Executive Officer of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple here.
About 120 sivachariyars performed special pujas at the grand yagasala, specially constructed for the kumbabishekam, from Sunday evening to Wednesday morning. “The special pujas at the yagasala concluded at 10.15 a.m. on Wednesday. Following this, pujas were performed on the vimanas of the Deities – Lord Thirumarainathar, Goddess Vedanayaki Amman and Manickavasagar,” Mr.Jayaraman said. Abishekams to the deities and deeparadhana followed the pujas.
The temple is located at the birthplace of Manickavasagar, who wrote Thiruvasagam, a book of Shaiva hymns. The temple was adorned with floral decorations for the occasion and after the kumbabishekam, blessed food was provided to the devotees, Mr.Jayaraman added.