Palliyarai
Encyclopedia
Palliyarai+(Arai)is a Tamil word used for the Sanctum Sanctoram in Hindu
temples. It generally means the place for divine resting and is considered very holy by the Hindus. In many traditional Hindu temples, during the final pooja (prayer) of the day, the goddess is typically escorted to the residing place of her divine husband, and this generally happens around 9 PM in many temples. For example, in Meenakshi temple in Madurai
and Chidambaram
this event receives thousands of devotees everyday, and would include a procession by the deities around the inner corridors of the temple with great pomp and music. The first prayer of the day, when the gates of the Lord are opened, is generally called the "Thirupalliezhuchi" (meaning, waking up from divine rest) and is celebrated elaborately in Vishnu
temples like Srirangam
and Tirupathi. In some of the temples, a mirror is also placed behind the main deity.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temples. It generally means the place for divine resting and is considered very holy by the Hindus. In many traditional Hindu temples, during the final pooja (prayer) of the day, the goddess is typically escorted to the residing place of her divine husband, and this generally happens around 9 PM in many temples. For example, in Meenakshi temple in Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
and Chidambaram
Chidambaram
Chidambaram is a fast growing industrial city in Eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail...
this event receives thousands of devotees everyday, and would include a procession by the deities around the inner corridors of the temple with great pomp and music. The first prayer of the day, when the gates of the Lord are opened, is generally called the "Thirupalliezhuchi" (meaning, waking up from divine rest) and is celebrated elaborately in Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
temples like Srirangam
Srirangam
Srirangam , Old name is Vellithirumutha gramam and Tamil name is Thiruvarangam , is an island and a part of the city of Tiruchirapalli , in South India....
and Tirupathi. In some of the temples, a mirror is also placed behind the main deity.