Moolavar

Mulavar (Tamil: மூலவர், romanized: mūlavar) or Mula-murti is a Sanskrit-Tamil term referring to the main deity, or a murti (cult image) in a Hindu temple.

[3] During the Kumbabhishekam or the coronation event, the temple is renovated, while the mulavar image is moved to a temporary location.

The temple rituals are performed five times a day; Ushathkalam at 6:00 a.m., Kalasanthi at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 1:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 9:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering), and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for the presiding deities in the temple.

There are weekly rituals like somavaram and sukravaram, fortnightly rituals like pradosham, and monthly festivals like amavasya (new moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day), and sathurthi when ablution and special poojas are performed on the mulavar.

[9] The ablution on the mulavar deity is performed in a sequence with various material like milk, curd, honey, and sugar.