Herbal Oil Ceremony (Thaila Kaapu) - Thiruparankundram

  • This is a 5-day festival dedicated to Sri Devasena at Thiruparankundram Murugan temple
  • It is celebrated in the month of Margashirsa (Margazhi)
  • Sri Devasena's Murti is brought to Urchava Mandapa at the temple
  • The following rituals are observed
    • Combing Devi's hair with silver comb
    • Cleaning Her teeth with Golden toothpick, rinsing in a silver bowl
    • Herbal oil Abhisheka
    • Sarva Alankara (Full Alankara)
    • Deepa Arathana
  • On the final day, Sri Devasena is taken on a procession (Veethi Ula)
  • This is is the only time of the year when Sri Devasena goes on a procession alone, all other times Lord Skanda accompanies Her
  • Devotees are given herbal oil as Prasad, which is said to have medicinal properties

Sri Devasena, Herbal Oil festival over the years

Deepa Arathana at Urchava Mandapa

Fifth day procession (Note the elaborate Hair Alankara)

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