Important rituals related to uthram festival

Important Rituals Related to Uthram Festival
1. Kodiyettam
Kodiyettam is a ritual performed in the temples, which mark the beginning of a festival in Temple. The term kodiyettam means flag hoisting. There is flag post (Kodimaram) in between Temple and Anakkottil to perform this ceremonious flag hoisting. The Trikodi (flag hoisted to mark the start of a festival) is made of velvet in red, green, yellow, blue and white designs. There are specific measurements for making the Trikodi that specifies that it should only have a quarter of the length of the flag post on which it is hoisted. Neervilakom Uthram Festival will begin with hoisting the ceremonial flag in the auspicious muhurthom by Tantri Kandararu Maheswararu of Thazhamon Madam and Melsanthi Madhusudhanan Namboodiri will assist the tantri. The flag reflects the temple's spiritual energy. 2. Jeevida Ezhunnellathu
Jeevida ezhunnallathu as part of the 11-day annual festival at the Lord Ayyappa Temple at Neervilakom, held with religious fervour in the day of Uthram. Jeevatha is a familiar feature of Neervilakom Temple Festival. The jeevatha is decorated with red velvet cloth and copper plates that are embossed with symbols of the moon and an image of the deity. Creating the jeevatha is the most sacred of crafts and also the most difficult. Hundreds of devotees thronged the temple precincts on uthram to witness this event. Devotees believe witnessing Jeevida procession will bring them luck. Jeevida ezhunnallathu is conducting along with kavadiyattam, thirumunpil vela, pallivetta and aarattu.
3. Sree Bhutha bali:- Sree bhutha bali is a ritual which is performed thrice every day during Uthram festivel days. The Utsava Vigraha of the Lord (a miniature of the idol in panchaloha) is mounted on jeevidha and taken around within the four outer walls of the temple, three times, to the accompaniment of Chenda melam. There are beli Kallus representing the Lord's body guards, subsidiary deities and members of his entourage in the inner and outer prakara. The idea of Sree bhutha bali and the priest performing poojas at these places is that the Lord Himself standsby as offerings are made to his dependants. 4. Uthsava Bali:-5. Chuttuvilakku:- Chuttuvilakku is a beautiful sight in Neervilakom temple festival. Devotees light the oil or ghee lamps on the outer walls of the temple at sundown. The term Chuttuvilakku is derived from 'Chuttu' meaning 'surround' and 'vilakku' meaning 'lamp'. Chuttu vilakku thelikkal is not only the part of mandala uthsavam but it’s a part of Uthram maholsavam also at Neervilakom temple.6. Para veppu:- When the deity's idol is taken out in a procession the devotees whose homes fall on the way make offerings of paddy, fruit and jaggery. These are arranged delightfully in front of the temple and the procession collects these offerings as it proceeds. This ritual is called Paraveppu and is so known due to the brass or wooden measure (para) that holds these offerings. In the case of Neervilakom temple, para veppu is conducting in front of kodimaram during Festival days. Arippara and nelppara are the famous para veppu in Neervilakom temple.7. Idumban Pooja:- 8. Thalappoli:-Thalappoli is a ritual procession taken out by women and young girls of Neervilakom and neighbouring villages, which is said to attract prosperity to the community which holds the festival. They dress in traditional saree or dhavani and hold a thalam (plate) in their hands. The plate is filled with rice, flowers and a lighted lamp. This ritual is a part of Kodiyettam, Jeevidha ezhunnallathu, pallivilakku ezhunnallathu, plalli vetta and arattu ezhunnallathu.9. Shayana Pradikshanam:- In the Malayalam language, Shayana means “body” and Pradakshinam means “revolution,” so Shayana Pradakshinam means “revolution with the Body.” Prior to the start of the Uthram Festival there is a tradition of Urul Vazhipadu (Sayana Pradakshinam) by members of different ages in the vicinity of the temple.This devotional practice is done after one or two days of strong vritham and conducted in the early morning of Uthram day.10 Kavadiyattam
The climax of the festival is Kavadiyattom. Kavadiyattam conducts commonly in Subramanian temples. Neervilakom temple is belongs to lord Ayyappa, even though this temple conducts kavadiyattam. The group of devotees wearing Kavi or Black costumes with ash smeared all over the body, dance in a frenzy carrying Kavadis on their shoulders. Kavadis are colourful bow shaped wooden structures raising six to ten feet high. The ambalakavadi is structured and decorated like a temple. The Pookavadi has clusters of colourful paper, cloth or paper flowers arranged on them. The resounding beats of percussion instruments like chenda melam and pampamelam are the main attraction of kavadi procession. The Kavadi-bearer is required to observe various rules between the time he takes up the Kavadi and the day of the offering. He has to take Kavaedi vritham (See the page about the kavedi vritham) of at least 21 days. He has to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the Kavadi and at the time of ffering it to the Lord. The Kavadi-bearer's bare chest is covered with several 'Rudraksha Malas' (rosaries). The Kavadi-bearer observes celibacy. He takes only pure, Satwic food; he abstains from all sorts of intoxicating drinks and drugs, He continuously thinks of God. It gives him great power of endurance. The Kavadi-bearer is in a high state of religious fervour. He dances in ecstasy. His very appearance is awe-inspiring; there is divine radiance on his face. Devotees often experience the state of feeling complete union with the Lord.There are various types of kavadies. Nay (ghee) kavadi, Bhasma (ash) kavadi, Enna (oil) kavadi, Pal (milk) kavadi, Pananeer (rose water) kavadi etc are the major kavadies in Neervilakom Temple. The two small pots hanging at either end of the Kavadi contain Ghee, Milk, Oil or other articles that the devotee has vowed to offer to the Lord and the devotee must collect these articles or money equal to the selected article, by begging. They travel on foot from house to house, and beg from door to door.{ More details about kavediyattam will be posted soon}....................11. Ammankudam
The devotees of Bhagavathy perform a ritual dance known as Ammankudam. It's also known as karagatto or karakam thullal. They place pots on their heads and do a fine balancing act as they dance. The name Ammankudam comes from the words "Amman" as in "Mother" or “Goddess" and "Kudam" meaning pots. These pots are generally filled in with sacred substances used for the worship such as water, turmeric, sandal, flowers and neem leaves. Ammankudam is the main attraction of Uthram festival at Neervilakom Ayyappa temple. It conducts along with kavediyattam and thirumunpil vela.
12. Thirumunpil Vela
The ritual Velakali is performed in the temple courtyard. It is begun with the deity taken out in a procession on a Jeevitha. This is called Thirumumbil Vela which literally means that the performance is in front of the deity. If this ritual is performed near the temple pond, it is called Kulathilvela. The dancers numbering fifteen or more are dressed up like traditional soldiers with colourful shields and shining swords. Sometimes the swords are replaced with long canes. They go through war like steps in a line to the accompaniment of martial music with vigour and force. They display fighting techniques by coming forward from the line. The musical instruments like Thavil, Suddha Maddalam, Elathaalam, Horns and Trumpets are used for this art. Thirumunpil Vela starts from Parakkoodu (Beautiful paddy field near temple) around 2 pm in the after noon and after kulathil vela it ends in the courtyard of temple around 7 pm just before Thirumunpil seva. 13. Thirumunpil Seva:- The marvelous as well as magical effect of the Thirumunpil Seva (Nagaswaram), a combination of Tavil, Nagaswara kuzhal and chengala is to be felt and enjoyed. The famous Nagaswaram, here it’s known as thirumunpil seva because it conducts in front of Sreekovil (Thirumunpu in Malayalam) during Deeparadhana on Uthram day. Thirumunpil Seva starts in the early evening and last three to four hours. 14. Anpoly
Anpoly is an important offering to Ayyappa at the time of festival. Ayyappa is brought towards a specially erected pandal (Anpoly pandal) to offer five "paras"(old conventional device to measure paddy) filled with paddy, rice, avil, malar, and plantain fruit. Pandal is decorated with flowers. Flowers in large quantity are spread and fifteen nilavilakku are placed in a specially arranged manner. Ayyappa placed in Jeevatha on shoulders of priests dance the tune of orchestra like Chenda, Thavil, Nadaswaram etc is brought in procession. People in large numbers assemble to witness this procession between 10 pm and 3 am. Firing crackers are part of this vazhipadu.15. Palli VilakkuThis fiesta of lights is part of the Pallivilakku ritual, held as part of the annual Uthram festival of Neervilakom Ayyappa temple. Thousands of lamps will be lighted on the intricate wooden chariot-like lamp post, which can be moved with the help of thousands of devotees. The shells of Marotti (Hydnocarpus pentandra) fruit will be filled with natural oil to light lamps on these huge lamp post. They will be lighted and the huge lamp post is then carried by hundreds of devotees from the 'Kizhakke Aalthara' to the 'temple entrance' along with the 'Jeevitha'. Touching the 'Paalli Vilakku' during the procession is considered to be divine and is believed to neutralise the misconducts.To add to the splendor of the ritual, the post will be rotated fast, with the lamps still shining on them. The festival is one of those rare events in which such a large number of lamps are featured.
16. Pallivetta:- Pallivetta or the Holy Hunt depicts Lord Ayappa hunting an Asura (Demon) and slaying him. It is generally an important event in the Neervilakom temple festivals. The idol of the deity is taken out of the sanctum sanctorum in a lively procession and the hunt is symbolically conducted as devotees dressed as animals are hunted by the deity. Usually Arattu or the holy bath is conducted the day after the Pallivetta.17. Arattu:- Arattu is a bathing ritual. Also known as the Holy Bath, it is usually performed on the day after the Pallivetta (Holy Hunt) which is also generally the closing day of temple festivals. The deity is believed to be tired after the Palliveta and the idol is taken out in an opulent fashion to the nearby river or lake. The deity is then dipped in this water, robed and decorated regally and worshipped there. Now, the deity is ready to be taken back again in the grand procession accompanied by Jeevidha and the music of nadaswaram and chendamelam. Neervilakom Ayyappa temple conducts lord ayyappa’s arattu on the 11th day of festival at Kurichumuttam temple pond (this belongs to Neervilakom N S S karayogam). For arattu maholsavam loard Ayyappa starts his journey to Kurichumuttam after deeparadhana conducted in sreekovil on the 11th day evening and after arattu will come back on 12th day early morning with the support of theevetti and fireworks.18. Fireworks:- The Uthram festival is concluded with a spectacular fire works display, which is held in the early morning after the Aaraattu. The Neervilakom Karayogam presents many varieties of fire works with the help of sponsors which make spectators going into raptures. This famous, mighty and magnificent display of fireworks adds to the popularity of the Uthram festival and it attracts many people even from long distance.