Madurai, July 10: Preparations for the grand Kumbabishekam (consecration ceremony) at the historic Thirupparankundram Subramanya Swamy Temple are in full swing, with the commencement of Yagasala poojas on Wednesday evening. The Kumbabishekam is scheduled to take place in the early hours of July 14.The day began with Mangala Isai (auspicious music), followed by Prasannabhishekam and the ritual of kindling sacred fire (Agni) from the sun. This was followed by the construction of the Yagasala, Kalasasthapanam (installation of sacred pots filled with holy water in gold and silver containers), and preliminary rituals such as Vigneswara Pooja, Punniyavachanam (purification rites), and Mulai Paari Ittuthal (sprouting grains ritual), culminating in the tying of the protective thread (Kaappu Kattuthal).
Sacred energy from the wooden idols (Athi Maram) of the main deities — Subramanya Swamy, Deivanai, Karpaga Vinayagar, Durga Amman, Sathya Gireeswarar, Mahalakshmi, Pavala Kanivai Perumal, and Govarthanambigai Amman — was ritually transferred into the kalasams (sacred pots) and placed in the Yagasala.
The Yagasala pooja, spread over 8 sessions, will continue till the early morning of July 14. On the final day, rituals will begin at 3:30 AM with Vigneswara Pooja and purification, followed by the completion of the fire rituals. The sacred water from the kalasams will then be taken to the temple towers and sanctums, culminating in the Kumbabishekam between 5:25 AM and 6:10 AM.
The Yagasala features an elaborate setup with 75 homakundams (fire pits): 25 for Subramanya Swamy, 9 each for Sathya Gireeswarar and Govarthanambigai Amman, 5 each for Karpaga Vinayagar, Durga Amman, and the Raja Gopuram, and 17 for other deities. There are also 40 Vedic platforms for rituals.
Golden kalasams have been prepared for Subramanya Swamy, Deivanai, Sathya Gireeswarar, and Govarthanambigai Amman. Silver kalasams are designated for Karpaga Vinayagar, Shanmugar, Durga Amman, Mahalakshmi, and for the vimanas (domes) of Govarthanambigai Amman and Vallabha Ganapathi. Over 400 brass vessels and 100 brass kalasams filled with sacred water are placed for worship. The rituals employ 96 varieties of herbs, offerings, and nine types of samithu (wood for fire rituals).
Leading the ceremonies are temple Sthanika Sivacharyas Swaminathan, Raja Chandrasekhar, Chokku Subramaniam, and Shanmugasundaram, supported by over 200 Sivacharyas, 70 Othuvars (temple singers), 30 Nadaswaram musicians, and 20 scholars participating in Vedic recitations.
The first Yagasala pooja was inaugurated by Tharumai Aadheenam’s Natchathira Gurumani Kailaya Masilamani Desikar and Koonampatti Aadheenam Saravana Manicka Vasaga Swamigal, marking a spiritual beginning to what promises to be a deeply sacred and culturally significant event.