Thillai Nataraja Temple

The day starts with the head priest purifying himself and adorning the Shivoham bhava or the shiva hood. The padukas of the Lord are then brought to the temple, in a palanquin, accompanied by loud chanting, cymbals and drums. The priest then performs the puja. The daily pujas are performed 6 times a day. Before each puja, the lingam is anointed with milk, ghee, rice, sandalwood ash. This is followed by offering the deity a variety of food and sweets and then followed by lighting a set of lamps. The puja also includes a recital of the Vedas and the Pancham Puranam . The puja ends with the priest parting the curtains of the sanctum sanctorum to reveal the Chidambara Rahasyam (sanctum).

For the second puja, a ruby idol of the Nataraja is also anointed, along with the lingam.

3^rd puja is performed at 12:00 PM.

The temple is then closed till 4:30 PM.

4^th puja is performes at 6:00 PM.

5^th puja is performed at 8:00 PM.

6^th puja is performed at 10:00 PM

After all the pujas are over, the lord’s footwear is taken back in a palanquin, along with a procession, symbolising the Lord’s retirement for the night. It is believed that the entire divine force of the universe retires along with the Lord for the night.