Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav or the birthday of Ganesha (the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity) falls on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (around August-September). It is celebrated all across India and is the biggest festival in Maharashtra. So if you are anywhere close to Mumbai, don't think twice about moving heaven and earth to be there for Ganesha's day. It'll be a day you shall look back upon with some wonder.

Ganesha is India's cutest god. He has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara, four podgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth; the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks - his favourite sweet). Ganesha is famous not only for being a trickster and for his sense of humour, but equally for his wisdom. He is the son of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Parvati (Shiva's consort).

Ganesha is the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon. This brave guardian of the door to Parvati's bath is beheld today as the most auspicious God of new beginnings. He is worshipped during every festival and before people undertakes a journey or embarks upon a new venture. You will also see him carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, peeping out of calendars and happily gracing marriages and other such occasions.

The Chithirai festival begins on the 5th day of the bright half of the month of Chithirai. The key events fall on the 8th, 9th and the 10th days of the festival. The eighth day of the Chithirai festival witnesses the coronation of Meenakshi and procession on silver thrones, while the 9th day is the digvijaya festival. The 10th day (Chitra Purnima) marks the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar.

Legend has it that Vishnu gave his sister away in marriage to Shiva. In commemoration of this legend, an image of Vishnu is brought in procession from Tirupparamkunram to Madurai. Since Subramanya is the presiding deity of the Tirupparamkunram temple, an image of Subramanya leads the procession. Following the wedding, images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are taken out in a grand procession on a palanquin and a silver elephant respectively. (It is to be noted that the Tirukkalyaanam festival is celebrated on Chitra Purnima in all Shiva temples celebrating the annual Bhramhotsavam in the month of Chithirai).

During this time, Kallazhagar from Azhagar Kovil (Tirumaaliruncholai) makes a visit to Vandiyur, near the Vaigai River, on the eastern outskirts of Madurai. It is believed that Kallazhagar realizes that he is too late for his sisters wedding, so refuses to cross the river and returns disappointed to Azhagar Kovil.

The Kasi Viswanathar Temple in the temple town of Kumbakonam is associated with the Mahamagam festival which occurs once every 12 years; when 9 of the saters of the revered rivers in India are believed to assemble in the Mahamagam tank. The major Shivastalams in Kumbakonam are the Kumbheswarar Temple, Kudandaikaronam and Nageswarar Temple; this is one of the 3 Kayarohana Stalams in Tamilnadu, the other 3 being Kanchikkaronam and Naagaikkaronam. The term Kayarohana stalam is equivalent in meaning to a shrine where all beings become one with Shiva during the great deluge. Other temples in Kumbakonam include the Ramaswamy temple and the Vaishnava Divya Desam Sarangapani temple.

Legends :
Rama and Lakshmana are said to have worshipped Shiva here during their search for Sita, and acquired Rudramsam, to enable them to fight Ravana. Legend has it that the nine sacred rivers of India, prayed to Shiva at Banares (Viswanathar)to be absolved of the sins washed away by bathers, and were directed to bathe in the Mahamagam tank and worship Aadi Kumbheswarar. Viswanathar of Kasi is believed to have manifested himself here at Kumbakonam at Kudandaikaronam.

History :
The name Kayarohana is associated with the Lakulisa Pasupata Saiva sect which originated in Gujarat. This sect of saivism is said to have been widespread in Tamilnadu during the days of Mahendravarma Pallavan.

The Temple :
This temple with 2 prakarams and a 72 ft high Rajagopuram is situated on the Northern bank of the Mahamagam tank. Images of the 9 river Goddesses (one of which is Kaveri) are seen in this temple.

Festivals :
Four worship services are offered each day here. Masi Magam is the most important annual festival celebrated.

Navratri - the nine sacred nights is one of the most celebrated festivals of India. This begins from the first day (Pradhamai) after Amavasya in the month of Purattasi as it is known in Tamil. This nine days festival is essentially celebrated to worship Devi and to commemorate the victory of good over evil, i.e. bringing to an end the atrocities of Asuras like Mahishasuran, Shumban, Nishumban, Madhukaidapan, Thumralochanan and Rakthabheejan. During Navrathri Devi is worshipped in the form of Sri Durga for the first three days, as Sri Lakshmi for the second three days and as Sri Saraswati for the next three days.

In the south, during Navratri the occassion is also used to invite all the friends, relatives and neighbours over to home to look at the Kolu that is arranged. Every year the young girls in the house along with their mothers vie with each other to create a Kolu with a different look. All the nine days are a non stop entertainment period with songs and dances.