The annual festival at the Pandalam Mahadevar Temple is
observed in Dhanu Masam. It is a ten-day festival. Another important festival
is observed on the Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Kumbham month.
Mahashivratri is another important festival in the temple.
The annual festival begins nine days before the Thiruvathira
festival in Dhanu Masam. The festival ends on the Thiruvathira nakshatra day
in the month.
The festival begins with kodiyettam (flag hoisting). The
festivals, pujas and important rituals are held with the help of 12 villages in
the region.
Kumbha Thiruvathira
Observed on the Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Kumbham
month, the one-day festival is famous for Thalappoli. Apart from pujas and
rituals, the festival is famous for Kettukazhcha.
The utsava murti of Mahadeva arrives atop a caparisoned
elephant to have darshan of the various Kettukazhcha presented by the 12
villages.
Pandalam Mahadevar Temple Important Facts
- It is one of the oldest Shiva temples in South India. It is believed that the shrine is among 108 Shiva temples consecrated by Khara Muni.
- Main deity – Lord Shiva – Mahadev
- Subsidiary deities - Parvathy, Ganapathy,
Murugan, Ayyappan, Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, Rakshas and Brahma Rakshas
- The shrine is located on the banks of Achankovil River. The river plays and important role in the festivities of the temple especially a Kettukazhcha arrives on traditional vallam (boat).
- It is believed that Lord Ayyappa performed worship in the shrine.