Festivals
Vishu Utsavam
This is the most important festival of the temple. Vishu falls on the first of Malayalam month ‘Medam’, which is normally on the 14th or 15th of April. Festivals starts on the 3rd week of March with ‘Parakkezhunnellethu’ where in the replica of the idol (Devi Vigraham) is taken in procession to each and every Hindu house hold of Thalayar Village and nearby villages. The replica of the idol is installed in a Palanquin type structure called ‘Jeevitha’. The ‘Jeevitha’ is made of timber and velvet and is carefully decorated with golden tin-set, Golden beads etc. The Jeevitha is carried by Brahmin priests and will be accompanied by the representatives of the karayogam and the local people. The small procession will be accompanied by drum beaters etc.
In every household the Devi is received with utmost respect and they offer paddy, plantains, raw rice, jaggery etc. This offering is called ‘Parayideel’ since the offering is done in a wooden measure called ‘Para’. It normally takes about twenty days to complete the ‘Parayideel’ and it comes to close on the day prior to Vishu-day. In addition devotees can perform ‘Parayideel’ in the temple on all days when the temple is open.
On the Vishu day there will be special poojas like ‘Shree Bootha Bali’ ‘Ashta Dravya kalasom’ and ‘Kalabhaabhishekam’ performed by the thantri of the temple. These poojas are performed in the morning and come to a close by 10am. It is customary to conduct ‘Ottamthullel’ in the fore-noon and the afternoon of Vishu Day.
In the evening the ‘Jeevitha’, carrying the replica of the idol of Devi, will be taken to the ‘Kanikka Mandapam’ at Kuttoor, which is about a kilometer from the temple, in procession. Also from the Kanikka Mandapam, ‘Devi’ is brought back to the temple in procession in which thousands take part. The procession consists of Chenda mela, Pancha vadhyam, which are the traditional musical instruments used in all temple festivals. Hundreds of women dressed in traditional kerala style, carrying ‘Thaala poli’ accompany the procession ( Thaala poli is a metallic silver like plate with flowers filled in it with a small oil lamp), hundreds of colored umbrellas, floats depicting stories from ‘Mahabharata’ and ‘Ramayana’, etc. Martial arts like ‘Vela Kali’, ‘Peacock Dance’ (Mayoora Nritham), etc. also take part in the procession. Lighted torches, made out of cotton clothes wrapped around iron frames which is drenched in oil (Thee Vetti) also is an essential part of the procession. The procession reaches the temple by about 6:30pm and Deeparadhana will be performed thereafter.
During the night of Vishu Day, music concerts, dances, dramas, etc. will be performed. At about 4.00am of the day following Vishu Day, ‘Devi’ will be taken out in the ‘Jeevitha’ in procession up to the bathing ghat which is just in front of the temple. Here hundreds of people carrying ‘Aalpindi’ perform rhythmic ritual dance called Aalpindi Thullal. (Aalpindi is a small replica of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple made out of the pseudo–stem of banana, which is beautifully decorated with tender coconut leaves and small lighted torches made of cotton cloth balls drenched in oil). Jeevitha carrying ‘Devi’ makes three rounds around the temple accompanied by the Aalpindi and Thalapoli. Finally the replica of the idol will be taken back to the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) and poojas are performed. With this the Vishu Festival comes to a close.
ANPOLI EZHUNELLATHU
During Vishu Festival, that is from the 3rd week of March to the day prior to the Vishu Day, Anpoli is being performed. For this booking has to be done in advance. On the appointed day, after the Deeparadhana in the evening, Jeevitha carrying the replica of the idol is taken in procession to the house at which Anpoli is proposed. The procession will consist of ‘Thalapoli’, ‘Vela Kali’, ‘Chendamelam’, ‘Panchavadyam’, etc. Once the procession reach the house, it will be received in the traditional way with utmost reverence and will be taken to the ‘Pandal’ specially constructed for the purpose. The floor of the Pandal will be decorated with flowers arranged in artistic pattern with lighted lamps (Nilavilakku). The Jeevitha enters the Pandal with the rhythmic steps performed by the persons carrying the Jeevitha. This rhythmic steps is called ‘Jeevitha Kali’. On completion of the ‘Jeevitha Kali’, the idol will be taken out of the Jeevitha will be placed on a platform specially made for the purpose and poojas are performed as is done in the temple.
As and when the procession enter the Pandal, the owner of the house-hold fill 5 Paras (wooden measure ) with paddy, raw rice, beaten rice (Aval), fried paddy (Malar) and plantains and offer to the Devi.
The people who accompany the procession will be given sumptuous refreshments. Normally feasting is arranged for all the people of the village on the day of ‘Anpoli’. On completion of the rituals, ‘Devi’ is brought back to the temple that too in procession. Anpoli can be performed also at the temple premises in the pandal specially constructed for the purpose. People in large numbers attend every Anpoli and there will be about 5 to 10 Anpoli each Year.
PONKALA FESTIVAL
As it is common in almost all Devi Temple, ‘Ponkala’ is performed on the 1st of Malayalam month ‘Makaram’ which is normally on 14th or 15th of January. Hundreds of woman takes part in this festival.
Other Activities
- 1. BHAGAVATHA SAPTHAHAM
- 2.ACTIVITIES OF SOCIAL RELEVANCE BY THE TEMPLE
Bhagvatha Sapthaham is being conducted in the first fort night of the month of Vrichikam (the second fort night of October). Srimad Bhagavatham the most sacred purana of Hindus will be read out by learned people with in a period of seven days continuously during day time and discourse on the portions read out will be conducted in the evening. Good number of people attend the Sapthaham. Noon meals will be provided free of cost to all people who come to the temple during Sapthaham period.
On the first day of all the Malayalam month, free noon meals will be given to all the people who come to the temple on that day. An 'Anna Dana Fund' is raised by the temple administrators and public liberally contribute to this fund.
There is a full fledged Kalyana Mandapam and a dining Hall maintained by the temple. A well equipped kitchen with all utensils is maintained by the temple. Marriage according to Hindu rites will be conducted in the temple for which advance booking has to be done.