This is a temple for the Guardian deities Bhoodaraja and Bhoodharani on the two sides of the temple complex. Before commencing the festivals, permission is sought from these deities. Devotees seek the permission from them before they start any new ventures, buy lands or for solution for family problems. They stand before Bhoodaraja and tell their prayers. If they hear the sound of a lizard, it means the consent. If they hear other sounds from other parts of the temple or from Bhoodharani, they postpone the programmes. They also seek permission from the presiding deity with two flowers.
For child boon, women approach the deity with five lime fruits and bathing turmeric powder. The priest would return three limes and the turmeric. They consume the lime and use the turmeric while bathing to realize their child boon.
The temple is situated on the west bank of Suralingeswarar Kudagan River.
Lord Vinayaka is praised for His merciful boons giving wisdom and the ability to manage situations, He is called Arul Gnana Sundara Maha Ganapathy. Those facing obstacle in marriage pray offering coconut garlands.
Lord Suralingeswara with His five faces graces with Mother Visalakshmi from a separate shrine. While four faces are visible on four sides, the fifth cannot be seen. Special pujas are performed to Lord on Pradosham days (13th day either from new moon or full moon days) and Annabishekam in Aipasi-October-November.
The first Tuesday is taken as the 10th day of the festival. On the 9th day, Mother is taken on a specially decorated setting to the Mandapa where pujas are conducted. Ambica made of a clay is taken to a Maidan called Poonjolai and placed under a vimana, a tower made of a stuff called Sorupattai which will dissolve in water. After pujas, the deity is left there itself. The Vimana and idol will be dissolved in rain water within 3 or 4 days.
Any act of men is based on three factors, viz the wish to do it, the knowledge and the execution. These are called Itcha, Gnana and Kriya Shaktis. These powers are granted by the three principal deities in the sanctum sanctorum. They appear with a bowl called Akshaya Patra which will give anything righteously desired by the devotee any time he/she needs it. They appear in penance form. It is the faith of the people that Ambicas would offer their needs without disappointment. This is the prayer place of a huge number of people in the region as their family deity. Special pujas are performed to the deities on Poornima-full moon days. |