Festival
Innumerable festivals like Daily festival, Weekly festival, Monthly festival, Nayanmars birthstar festival.are performed. No day is passed without a festival. Elaborate arrangements are made according to the nature of festival. Apart from these routine festivals, the following grand festivals are of great divine attractions even today.
Thirugnana Sambandar in his hymns written centuries ago says that these festivals were a hoary traditions in the repertoire of festivals at the ancient town Mylapore.
Brahmothsavam
This is celebrated in the month of Panguni (March - April). It lasts for 10 days.
1st day, 5th day, 7th day, 8th day and 10th day festivals are grand ones.
1st day Dwajha vahanam (Flag hoisting) in the morning In the night, Goddess Uma worshipping the Lord Siva taking the form of Pea - Cock under the Punnai Tree in celebrated.
5th day: The diety is taken on a Silver bull in the night. Aroganam in Silver bull by Lord Siva is considered as a Sacred Dharshan.
7th day: Car festival is on the 7th day. Lakhs of people from all surrounding places participate in pulling the chains of car.
8th day: This is very important festival. This is specially called Aruvathu moovar Uthsavam (The festival of 63 saints). More than 5 lakhs people of all caste & creed, rich or poor witness it. The idols of 63 Nayanmars are taken along with Kapalesswarar and Karpagambal.
10th day: It is the last day festival. It is otherwise called Bhikshatana Festival. It is turely appropriate to Lord Kapaleeswarar, because the beautiful idol of the Lord as ascetic with a skull bowl in hand is taken around.
The Float Festival
In Tamil it is called Theppa Thiruvizha
It takes place in the month of Thai (Jan-Feb)
The deities are taken in a decorated raft called "Theppam" in the tank. The tank is colorfully illuminated all around.
Navarathiri Festival
This is celebrated for 9days. That is why it is called Navarathiri festival. It starts from next day of Newmoon day in the month of Purattasi (Aug - Sept) Prayers for first 3days are for Goddess Paravathi for next 3days for Goddess Lakshmi and the last 3days for Goddess Saraswathi. 10th Day : Vijaya Dhasami is celebrated in a grand manner.
Vasanta Utsavam
This summer festival takes place in Vaikasi (May-June) Music programmes are arranged during this festival.