Srirangam Festivals Calendar 2022

Those who visit the Srirangam temple in honour of Lord Ranganathaswamy, a dormant form of Vishnu, will find a wealth of history, culture, and beauty. This temple is considered the most sacred among the 108 Divya Desams (holy abode) of Lord Vishnu. Throughout the year, the temple serves as the site of many processions and festivals (utsavam). Here are the srirangam calendar 2022.

Sri Jayanthi

The Sri Jayanthi festival is a significant temple event observed with great enthusiasm. On the eighth day of Tamil ashadha, devotees celebrate Krishna’s birth with this feast (a month in the Hindu calendar). On this day, holy water is used to cleanse the Lord Krishna idol and the Nadagopan and Yashoda idols. Decorated idols, vibrant processions, and the joyful screams of worshippers echoing through the streets transform the temple into a sacred space during Sri Jayanthi.

Oonjal

Another major celebration in Srirangam is the 9-day Oonjal festival, also known as Dolothsavam. According to long-held traditions, this celebration serves to ward off any potential difficulties that the coming year may bring (dosham). This utsavam has been celebrated for the past five hundred years. It all kicks off in the Tamil month of Aipasi’s gloomy middle phase, eight days before the Ekadesi holiday (October-December). Oonjal concludes with the beginning of Ekadesi. During this occasion, you can hear thousands of devotees filling the oonjal mandapam with the chanting of Vedic mantras and the singing of Tamil devotional songs to appease the Gods.

Ekadesi

At the Srirangam Temple, this is one of the most significant celebrations. In December/January, the event lasts for 21 days, during which time a series of ceremonies dating back centuries are performed. Lord Ranganatha, during this occasion, becomes Sri Rangarajan, or “virtual king,” for a single day. Large crowds of worshippers recite sacred mantras as they pay homage to Lord Ranganatha in the Srirangam temple. Ekadesi is known for its spectacular parade, which draws in tens of thousands of visitors worldwide every year.

Pavithrothsavam

In case any missteps have been made in the regular pooja ceremonies to Lord Ranganathaswamy, this festival is held to purge the gods’ statues and make amends. During the Tamil calendar month of Aani, festivities are held to mark the occasion (August- September). Festival rituals begin with the purification of idols, followed by the snipping and retying the holy thread. There are 365 thiruvaradhanam (idol worship services) on the festival’s first day. The next day, 1008 thiruvaradhanam are performed on all of the idols, just as they were the day before.

Conclusion

During these celebrations, you may see the Srirangam Temple in all its splendour, but you’ll also get a glimpse of the region’s rich cultural heritage and ancient rites.