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OTHER RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
MANDALA POOJA
Mandala pooja begins on the first
day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. This
is a period of 41 days for the pilgrimage to the
shrine of
Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. Most of the devotees who go to Sabarimala also visit Guruvayur.
At
Guruvayur, there will be special abhishekam with panchagavya
(mixture of five products of cow - milk, curd, ghee, urine and cow dung) on all days.
Many devotees visit the shrine to partake of it,
since it is believed to burn up all inner impurities. Chakkiyar Koothu
takes place after lunch. Krishnanattam may be performed after Athazha
pooja . Mandalam comes to end with Kalabhaattam (pouring mixture of
sandal paste, saffron, camphor and rose water) on the deity. This
special offering is made only once in a year and it is the hereditary
privilege of the Zamorin Rajas.
Besides,
the three seevelis during mandalam will be conducted with three
elephants and they take five rounds around the temple. The famous
Guruvayur Ekadasi festival, Melpathur statue installation day,
Narayaneeyam day and Kuchela day also occur during Mandalam, thus making
it the busiest season at Guruvayur. During this season, special
arrangements are made for 'kettunira' and 'malayidal' in front of the
Sastha shrine inside the temple.
SARASWATHY
POOJA
Of
the 9 days
of the Navarathri festival, the last three days are specially sacred for goddess Saraswathy who presides over the world of learning
and fine arts. Children are initiated into learning on the last day
known as Vidyarambham day. The
training in Krishnanattam, Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, (traditional
martial art-form of Kerala) etc. generally begins on this day.
THIRUVONAM [02-09-09]
On
the Uthradam day of the month of Chingam (August- September), thousands
of devotees bring "Kazhcha kulas" (bunches of Banana) as
offering to the Lord. These bananas are given to all the elephants of
Guruvayur Devaswom on the same day
or next day. On Thiruvonam day, free Onam feast with Pazhaprathaman is given to thousands of devotees.
ASHTAMI
ROHINI [11-09-09]
Ashtami
Rohini in Chingam (August-September) is the birthday of Lord Krishna. Appam and
Palpayasam are considered to be important offerings on this day. Special
feast is arranged for the devotees.
PUTHARI
It
means new rice. It is a formal beginning of the use of rice from the new
harvest season for
offering in the temple. Puthari payasam is offered to Lord; it takes
place in the month of Chingam.
VAISHAKHA
The
Vaishakha is the lunar month starting from new moon of Medam (April-May). The Vaishakha vratham
(fast) is auspicious and sacred to Vishnu. The vratham can be followed in the routine of morning ablutions
, feeding the poor, keeping fast, taking prasadams from the offerings to the Lord
and participating in the divine discourses. The third day of this month
- Akshaya-thrithiya - birth day of Balarama, is the most auspicious.
Palpayasam is the main offering and feast is also arranged during the
entire Vaishakha month.
VISHU [14-04-09]
The
first day of Medam ( mid April) is the new year day for Malayalees.
People believe that the fortunes for the next year depend on the nature of
the objects one sees in the morning of Vishu. For this purpose, Kani (an
omen) with articles like yellow flowers, rice,
betel nuts, golden coins etc. is displayed in front of the deity. Thousands prefer to see
Kani at Guruvayur on Vishu morning. Crowds stay overnight inside the
courtyard of temple, which is specially permitted on this day. They close their eyes
and set their eyes on the Kani and deity, as the doors are opened at
2.30
am for darshan.
KUCHELADINAM [16-12-09]
The
first Wednesday of the month of
Dhanu (December) is celebrated as Kuchela Dinam. It is based on
the belief that it was on this day that Kuchela, an ardent devotee of
Lord Krishna offered Avil (parched rice) to him and in return attained
eternal bliss and material property . Avil offering is considered
auspicious on this day.
SAMKRAMAM
The Samkrama Sandhyas, a very auspicious occasion for worship of the
Lord, is observed by the devotees on the eve of each Malayalam month in
the spirit of intense devotion and piety. Thousands of people stream in
to the temple for a darshan of the Lord at the time of Deeparadhana.
Spiritual discourses and various cultural programmes befitting Hindu
faith are held at Melpathur Auditorium.
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