Annabhisekam at Meenakshi Amman Temple

Annabhisekam - Lord Siva Lingam is fully decorated with Rice and Vegetables.

Lord Shiva is in the form of Siva Lingam in all temples. Lord Shiva has three eyes, the third eye is situated in the forehead and is very hot, so always abhisekam is performed to Lord Shiva to satisfy him and to quench the hot. Mostly abhisekams are performed on the following major occasions, (i) Prathosam (once in every 15 days) (ii) Maha Shivaratri and (iii) Annabhisekam. Hence Lord Shiva is otherwise called as Abhiseka Priyar. Every year in the tamil month of Aippasi, full moon day, Siva Lingam is performed abhisekam with various vegetables and rice. This festival is called as Annabhisekam and is celebrated all over India.

At Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Lord Sundareswarar is performed "Annabhisekam" every year in the full moon day of Aippasi month. This year, the Annabhisekam festival will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

Madurai Thiruparankundram - Skanda Shasti Soorasamharam Festival

Thiruparankundram is the one of the six abodes (in Tamil: Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Subramaniya, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. This temple is situated 5km away from Madurai Temple city. Skanda Shasti-Soorasamharam festival is one of the important festival celebrated in all the subramaniya swamy temples every year during October or November. Especially, Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple plays a vital role for this festival. Lord Senthil Aandavar destroy the devil Soorapadman in this place. This year the festival will be held on Tuesday, November 04, 2008.

Soorasamharam Festival

The importance of this festival is that Lord Subramaniyan has fought to destroy the evil demon Soorapadman. On this occasion, thousands of devotees will go to Lord Murugan temples and offer prayers. Also many devotees finished their fasting after the Soorasamharam Festival. Special Abhisekam and Aaradhanas will be performed to Lord Subramaniya on this day.