The handing over of the ‘special ropes’ to be used on the flagstaff and ‘onavillu’ of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and the harvesting of paddy from the Putharikandom Maidan as part of the ‘Niraputhari’ festival at the temple were held on Saturday.
The ‘special ropes’ and ‘kunjalam,’ a decorative piece, made by the inmates of the Poojappura Central Prison were handed over to the temple authorities at a function held on the jail premises. Since 1886, these ropes have been made by the inmates of the central prison. Jail Superintendent B. Pradeep handed over the ropes.
Seven inmates of the jail who religiously stuck to abstinence were involved in the making four different sets of ropes and the decorative pieces. The inmates undergo training each year at the jail’s manufacturing unit.
‘Niraputhari’
The harvesting of paddy cultivated in 23 cents of field at the eastern side of the maidan was inaugurated by K. Muraleedharan, MLA. Corporation Deputy Mayor G. Happy Kumar presided.
During the days of the erstwhile Travancore, the entire ‘maidan’ was a paddy field. As per the traditions of the ‘Niraputhari’ festival, paddy stacks from this field are offered to the temple. The tradition of offering ‘Naivedyam,’ a sweet dish made from this paddy, to the deity will be held on Monday.
Keywords: Niraputhari festival, Thiruvananthapuram,
