Vrischikolsavam, the annual festival of Sree Poornathrayeesha Temple, drew to a close with the ‘Aarattu’ ritual on Thursday. The eight-day event was celebrated in all its glory.
The festivities concluded with the presiding deity being taken for a holy bath at the Chakkamkulangara temple pond and back in a procession to the accompaniment of Pandimelam and Pancharimelam led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar.
‘Aarattu ezhunnellippu’The festival flag was lowered at the conclusion of the day’s rituals around 7.30 p.m., which was followed with the ‘Aarattu ezhunnellippu’ .
Major set panchavadyam led by Chottanikkara Vijayan Marar Kunissery Chandran was held from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The procession of the deity for the ‘Aarattu’ began at 11.30 p.m. from the temple.
After the ‘Aarattu’ ritual, the procession returned to the temple in the midnight. Later, ‘Koottiezhunnellippu’ with Pancharimelam began by 3.30 a.m.
Festival seasonA mix of religious conservatism and carnival spirit, the annual festival marks the beginning of temple festivals in central Kerala. Traditional arts
The event was the venue for a host of traditional art forms such as Patakam, Kolkali, Ashtapathi, Kuruthiyattam, Aksharasloka Sadas, Nagaswaram and Ottanthullal, in addition to high profile music concerts and all-night Kathakali performances by artists.
