Uthram festival

Uthram FestivalThe eleven days festival at Neervilakom Dharamashasta Temple is one of the most colorful temple festivals in Central Travancor area, Kerala. This festival attracts large masses of devotees and spectators not only from Neervilakom but the other parts of Central Travancore. This festival is a cultural highlight and is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March -April) on Uthram Nakshathram. There is no other festival in Central Travancore that attracts such an unbelievable number of people. Among the varieties of festivals celebrated in Central Travancore, Uthram Festival is the most thunderous, spectacular and dazzling. It's an expression of sound and colour.The beginning of the Uthram festival is symbolised by `Kodiyettam' or hoisting of the flag on the temple flag post (kodi maram) by the Thazhaman madam Thantri Kandararu Maheshwararu during morning hours. This is done on Karthika or atham nakshatram days. The Ultsavam lasts for eleven days. Ultsava Bali will be conducted from 2nd day onwards.Different from the usual temple festival, the Uthram festival is well known for the beautiful and devoted Kavadiyattam with the back support of Chenda melam, Nagaswaram, Pampamelam and Ammankudam. The Uthram festival is also well known for Uthsava bali, Idumban pooja, Thirumunpil Velakali, Thirumunpil Seva and the magnificent display of fireworks.During Ultsavam days. Special poojas are offered to Lord Ayyappa who is believed to be omnipotent and omnipresent. During this period,poojas and rituals are also conducted in memory of the Lord’s `Bhootaganas' and their associates. These pooja is called Ultsava Bali. On the tenth day, Lord's Siveli Vigraham is symbolically taken out, along with the bhootaganas and their associates,for a tour around his territory (till Kizahkke Althara). This victorious procession is elaborately conducted and a huge crowd of pilgrims generally follow the procession. This is called Palli Vetta.When the Lord Returns to the temple,paeans are being sung narrating the history, the story and the exploits of Lord Ayyappa. Simultaneously this reminisce the devotees of the old legends. This form of song narration is called `Nayattu Vili'. Nayattu Vili is performed near sreekovil, throughout the temple festival days. The Lord hearing all these tributes sung during Nayattu Vili, relaxes in a contented mood at the Mandapam. This repose is called `Pallikkurupu'.On the 11th day of the Ultsavam, is the Aarattu. In this context, it is worth mentioning that normal bathing or cleansing of the holy idol is called `Abhishekam' while `Avagaha Snanam' is called `Aarattu' .The Lord who was reposing in peace at the Mandapam is gently awakened through prayers and chanting at Brahmamuhurtham (around 3 am) and is ceremoniously taken to the Sreekovil or Sanctum Sanctorum. Poojarituals are conducted there. After Usha Pooja, the Siveli vigraham (a smaller replica of the idol at the Sanctum Sanctorum, symbolising the powers that are inherent in the main idol) is taken out in royal procession from Sreekovil to Kurichumuttam. The Aarattu Kulam at Kurichumuttam, the idol is given an abhishekam of `Haridra Churna' (manjal podi). With `Punyaham' and `mantra sudhi' the idol is given a bath by immersion in holy pond by the main thanthri of the temple Madhusudhanan Nambuthiri. En roote and on the return journey, the procession is enthusiastically welcomed at many points with Nirapara and nilavilakku and from kizhakke althara onwards with pallivilakku. Aaratu signifies the end of the temple Ultsavam (festival).Uthram festivals at Neervilakom Dharamashastha Temple is an excellent examples of teamwork. All sections of the community do participate for its success. Apart from devoted volunteers, Uthram Festivals call upon the services of experts in Tantra and Rituals, Astrologers, flower decorators, musicians, and in addition to effective managers , leaders as also masters of ceremonies and others. It is an occasion when the entire community comes together, works as a team, and shares its burden, responsibility and successMean while, in this year festival at the Neervilakom Temple will get underway on March 12th Wednesday with the hoisting of flag at 7-30 p. m. The eleven-day festivities will see also cultural and entertainment programmes including so many stage programs and musical concerts.