Festivals

Sivaratri Utsavas: In the month of Maagha, Sivaratri (ratri: night) utsavas are celebrated grandly on nine nights at Sri Kalahastheeswara temple. Each night of the nine nights has a name associated with it.

Sivaratri occurs on the fifth night. The first night is known as Devaratri, the second is Bhuta ratri, the third is Gandharva. ratri, and the fourth is Naga ratri. On Siva ratri, a special pooja takes place at midnight to commemorate lingodhbhava (Siva emanating from the linga). The sixth night is known as Brahma ratri and a chariot is taken out in procession on this night. The seventh night is known as Sakanda ratri. On this night, the Kalyanam (marraige) of Parvati and Parameshwara is celebrated. The eighth night is known as Ananda ratri - the night on which the celestial beings (devas) worship Lord Siva and celebrate. The ninth night is known as Rishi ratri. On that night, the idols of Parvati and Parameshwara are taken out in procession.

on the fifth night. The first night is known as Devaratri, the second is Bhuta ratri, the third is Gandharva. ratri, and the fourth is Naga ratri. On Siva ratri, a special pooja takes place at midnight to commemorate lingodhbhava (Siva emanating from the linga). The sixth night is known as Brahma ratri and a chariot is taken out in procession on this night. The seventh night is known as Sakanda ratri. On this night, the Kalyanam (marraige) of Parvati and Parameshwara is celebrated. The eighth night is known as Ananda ratri - the night on which the celestial beings (devas) worship Lord Siva and celebrate. The ninth night is known as Rishi ratri. On that night, the idols of Parvati and Parameshwara are taken out in procession.