🕐 Temple Hours
Monday - Thursday
☀️ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 🌙 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Friday
☀️ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 🌙 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
Saturday
☀️ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | 🌙 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM
Sunday
☀️ 9:00 AM – 11:45 AM | 🌙 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
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📅 October – November 2026 - Special Poojas
October 2026
Navaratri Celebrations
Sunday, 11th October – Tuesday, 20th October
🕉️ Religious Significance
Nine nights devoted to the Divine Mother in her three great aspects. The first three nights honour Durga, who destroys our negative tendencies; the next three Lakshmi, who bestows noble qualities and prosperity; and the final three Saraswathi, who grants wisdom and true knowledge. Only when the impurities are removed and virtues cultivated can knowledge take root — which is why the order never changes.
Golu / Bommala Koluvu will be displayed at the temple throughout the Navaratri celebrations. Devotees are warmly welcome to visit and have darshan during our usual opening hours.
Saraswathi Pooja / Ayudha Pooja
Monday, 19th October
🕉️ Religious Significance
On this day we place the instruments of our learning and livelihood at the feet of Goddess Saraswathi, the giver of knowledge, music and the arts. Ayudha Pooja extends the same reverence to the tools of our work — books, instruments, machinery, vehicles — acknowledging that our skill and our means of living are themselves divine gifts, and setting them aside from use for a day in gratitude.
Devotees are welcome to bring books and musical instruments to the temple for blessing.
They can be collected the next morning.
Vijaya Dasami
Tuesday, 20th October
🕉️ Religious Significance
Vijaya means victory. The tenth day marks Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura after nine nights of battle, and in other traditions Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. Because evil was conquered on this day, it is held to be among the most auspicious of the year for beginning anything new — a study, a craft, a venture. This is why Aksharabhyasam, a child's first initiation into letters and learning, is performed on Vijaya Dasami.
☀️ Morning Temple
• Prathakala Pooja
• Special Abhisekam for Lord Vinayaka
🌙 Evening Temple — extended opening 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Aksharabhyasam will be performed. An auspicious day to begin a child's learning.
Sankatahara Chathurthi
Thursday, 29th October
🕉️ Religious Significance
Sankata means difficulty and hara means the one who removes it. Falling on the fourth day after the full moon each month, this is the day dedicated to Lord Vinayaka as Vighna Harta, remover of obstacles and sorrows. Devotees traditionally observe a fast through the day, breaking it after sighting the moon and offering prayers. Observed faithfully month after month, it is believed to clear the difficulties that stand in the way of a devotee's path.
November 2026
Deepavali
Sunday, 8th November
Deepavali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil — Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura, and the joyous return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. The rows of lamps we light are a prayer that the same inner light dispels ignorance and sorrow from our lives.
🪔 Observances of the Day
• The traditional Ganga Snanam (ritual oil bath) before sunrise, followed by new clothes.
• Lighting rows of deepams at the entrance and prayer room of the home.
• Lakshmi Pooja in the evening, inviting prosperity and auspiciousness into the household.
• Sharing sweets and greetings with family, neighbours and friends.
As Deepavali falls on a Sunday this year, devotees and families are warmly welcome to come to the temple for darshan and to offer their prayers to Lord Vinayaka on this most auspicious day.
🪔 Shubh Deepavali — may the light of the lamps bless your home 🪔
Skanda Sashti Vratham (Kantha Sashti)
Tuesday, 10th November – Sunday, 15th November
🕉️ Religious Significance
Six days of vratham in the month of Kaarthikai commemorating Lord Subramanya's battle against the asura Soorapadman. Devotees observe fasting and discipline across the six days, and the Skanda Sashti Kavacham is recited as a shield of protection. The vratham is understood as an inner battle as much as an outer one — the steady wearing down of ego, anger and pride.
• Subramanya Swami special Abhisekam will be performed every day in the evening.
• Skanda Sashti Kavacham will be recited in the evening temple.
Soora Samharam
Sunday, 15th November
🕉️ Religious Significance
The concluding day of the Skanda Sashti Vratham. With the Vel given to him by Goddess Parvati, Lord Subramanya vanquishes Soorapadman. The asura then takes the form of a mango tree, which the Lord splits in two — one half becoming his peacock vahana and the other the rooster on his banner. The ego is not destroyed but transformed into service: this is the heart of the day's teaching.
🌙 Evening Temple
Subramanya Swami special Abhisekam will be performed in the evening hours.
Karthigai Deepam
Tuesday, 24th November
🕉️ Religious Significance
Falling on the full moon of Kaarthikai under the Krittika nakshatra, this day recalls Lord Shiva appearing as an infinite column of light. When Brahma and Vishnu disputed which of them was greater, Shiva manifested as a pillar of fire without beginning or end; neither could find its summit nor its base, and both were humbled. The lamps we light are that boundless light brought into our homes. The day is also sacred to Lord Subramanya, who was nursed by the six Krittika maidens.
Subramanya Swami special Abhisekam will be performed.
Further details of the day's programme will be circulated closer to the date.
Sankatahara Chathurthi
Friday, 27th November
🕉️ Religious Significance
The monthly day of Lord Vinayaka as remover of obstacles and sorrows. Devotees fast through the day and offer prayers after sighting the moon, seeking relief from difficulties and the clearing of the path ahead.
🙏 Some of the Common Sponsorships
Devotees wishing to sponsor are kindly requested to register their interest at feedback@ivt.ie or use the donations page.