Koil Alwar means 'Holy Shrine'. Alwar means “Devotee”. Tirumanjanam
means “Cleaning with aromatic ingredients”.
Koil Tirumanjanam is purification ceremony of sanctum santorum and
temple premises by devotees. During the ceremony all the deities and
other articles are removed from santum santorum and cleansed while the
“Mula Virat” is covered with a water- proof covering.
The entire Garbha Griham, including floors, ceilings and walls,
sub-shrines inside the sanctum, puja articles are cleaned with water and
Tirumanjanam which is a composition of camphor, sandal paste, saffron,
turmeric Kicchili Gadda (a root vegetable) etc. is smeared, which acts
as a disinfectant.
The covering of the main deity is then removed and the deities, deepam
and other articles are replaced inside. Special pujas and Naivedyams are
then offered to the presiding deity.
This ceremony is performed strictly as per the agamas and is conducted
four times year viz.
- before Ugadi,
- Anivara Asthanam,
- Vaikunta Eakadasi and
- Annual Brahmotsavams.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/99854/Thirumanjanam
The common dravyyas in order are:
1. gandha thaila (scented oil)
2. pancha gavyam (purification by a special five elements)
3. pancha-amritha (mixture of milk, yogurt, fruits, ghee & honey)
4. grtiha (ghee)
5. payas (milk)
6. dadhi (yogurt)
7. madhu (honey)
8. sharkara or ikshurasa (sugar or sugar cane juice)
9. jambeerasa naarikela (lime juice, and coconut water)
10. gandhodakam (water perfumed with sandalwood paste)
11. mangalodakam (water with turmeric powder)
12. sahasra dhaara (a shower bath using a plate having thousand small holes)
