Thiru Sundaramoorithi Guru Pooja

English meaning of the festival
Thiru Sundaramoorithi was an eighth-century poet-saint of Tamil Shaiva Siddhant tradition of Hinduism. He is among the Thevaram trio, and one of the most prominent Nayanars, the Shaiva bhakti (devotional) poets of Tamil Nadu.

How the date is decided annually
Thiru Sundaramoorithi Guru Pooja is celebrated in the month of Aani when the Swathi star is ruling.

Significance of the festival to Hinduism
A Guru dispels darkness or one who is the giver of light. The Guru has also been taken as PARABRAHMA, which turns a person’s soul towards the light without attributes. The Guru is God manifesting in a personal form to guide the aspirant. The Guru is expected to lead a life of high moral principles and is considered an embodiment of DHARMA for the disciple to emulate. Thiru Sundaramoorithi Guru Pooja is the celebration of such a Guru.

How to observe/practice
Thiru Sundaramoorithi Guru Pooja stone image is worshiped in almost all Shiva temples. The day is observed with Abhishekam, alankara, and deeparadhana of Lord Ganesh. This is followed by Abhishekam for Thiru Sundaramoorithi. There is also chanting of Sundara’s Thevaram.