Vinayaka Chathurthi

Ganesh Chathurthi greetings to all from Devaayanam!

The festival to invoke the divine Lord Ganesh, the darling of masses, and seek his blessings for prosperity and well-being has arrived again.

This year the Vinayaka chathurthi falls on 5th September 2016. As per hindu panchang, the Ganesh Staphna (installation of the Idol) on Ganesh Chaturthi day this year, can be done at Amrit time between 06:28 AM to 08:00 AM or Shubh Time i.e.between 09:32 AM to 11:05 AM. Ganesh Pooja is preferred during Madhyanhana on Ganesh Chaturthi as it is believed that Lord Ganesh was born during Madhyahana Kaal which is between 14:09 and 15:42. The time specified above is the best Muhurth to perform the Ganesh Puja.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day  festival celebrated to honour the elephant-headed God Ganesh's birthday.The festival begins on Shukla Chaturthi which is the fourth day of the waxing moon period, and ends on the 14th day of the waxing moon period known as Anant Chaturdashi.Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion all over India. People bring home murtis (Idols) of Lord Ganesh and celebrate the festival by worshiping the Lord in a special way for a day and a half, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days or 11 days depending on the family tradition and commitment of each individual.On the last day of worship the idol is taken out in a colourful and musical procession to be immersed traditionally in a waterbody.The festival is celebrated by families at home, by people at their places of work and in public. The public celebration involves installing clay images of Ganesh in public pandals (temporary shrines) and group worship.

Legend of Ganesh:

Worshipped foremost among all the Gods, Lord Ganesh is known as the god of wisdom, knowledge and peace.Ganesh is known by 108 different names and is honoured at the start of rituals and ceremonies as he'sconsidered the God of beginnings. He's widely and dearly referred to as Ganapati or Vinayaka.The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesh has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being.

The story of the birth of this deity, as depicted in the Shiva Purana, goes like this: Once goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When Shiva, her husband returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access, and struck off the boy's head in rage. Parvati broke down in utter grief and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops. Hence his name 'Ganapati'. Shiva also bestowed a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture.

However, there's another less popular story of his origin, found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana: Shiva asked Parvati to observe the punyaka vrata for a year to appease Vishnu in order to have a son. When a son was born to her, all the gods assembled to rejoice on its birth. Lord Shani, the son of Surya (Sun-God), was also present but he refused to look at the infant. Perturbed at this behaviour, Parvati asked him the reason, and Shani replied that his looking at baby would harm the newborn. However, on Parvati's insistence when Shani eyed the baby, the child's head was severed instantly. All the gods started to bemoan, whereupon Vishnu hurried to the bank of river Pushpabhadra and brought back the head of a young elephant, and joined it to the baby's body, thus reviving it.

The Grand Way of Celebration:

A life-like clay model of Lord Ganesh is made 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.

On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras.This ritual is called 'pranapratishhtha'. After this the 'shhodashopachara' (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 'modakas' (rice flour preparation), 21 'durva' (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with red unguent or sandal paste (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and Ganesh stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.

For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesh is worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man.

Mass join this final procession chanting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesh, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.The whole community comes to worship Ganesh in beautifully done tents.

Observation Of Fast and Puja On Ganesh Chaturthi:

Observers of this fast should take bath early in the morning along with completion of their daily chores. Resolution is then taken before observing the fast by taking water and darbha grass in hand and chanting the mantra "Mam Sarvakarmsiddhaye Siddhivinayak Pujanmaham Karishye". Idol of Lord Ganesh made up of gold, copper or mud is worshipped. A pot is taken and is filled with water, and after tying the mouth of the pot with a clean cloth, the idol of Ganapati is placed over it. Then, to worship the idol a 16-fold procedure is followed: Aavaahana, Aasana, Paadya, Arghya, Aachamana, Madhuparka, Snaana, Vastra, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhoopa, Deepa, Naivedya, Taamblooa, Aarati, and Mantrapushpa.

o   Aavaahana means 'to invite' 
o   Aasana means offering our guest the seat. This is called as Aasana   Samarpana.
o   Paadya is to wash the feet of the idol of Lord Ganesh.
o   Arghya means to wash off the hands.
o   Aachamana is about taking three gulps of water to smoothen the speech faculty.
o   Madhuparka means offering to the idol of Lord Ganesh something to drink.
o   Snaana means bathing the idol with milk, curd or ghee.
o   Vastra or Upaveeta is about offering new clothes to the idol of Lord Ganesh.
o   Gandha is application of sandalwood paste on the forehead as per tradition.
o   Pushpa means to offer flowers to the Lord Ganesh.
o   Dhoopa means fragrant smoke by burning of herbs, considered good for health. 
o   Deepa means light. It's about acknowledging Lord Ganesh in the form of light.
o   Naivedya is a practice of offering different varieties of dishes to Lord Ganesh.
o   Taamblooa is the chewing of betel leaf with other herbs, considered to be good for health.
o   Aarati means showing a big flame of camphor lit diya to Lord Ganesh.
o   Mantrapushpa is about chanting the mantras and going round (pradakshina) to imply that deity is present in every direction.

After this 16-step puja, Aarti is sung and then prasad is distributed.

The fast of Ganesh Chaturthi is kept from the time of sunrise to moonrise. This fast comes to an end after watching of the Moon followed by the Aarti (song sung in praise of the deity) of Lord Ganesh. Those who keep fast on this auspicious day are showered with bliss and wisdom by the lord Ganesh.

Naivedya prasad for Ganesh chathurthi:

On Vinayaka Chathurthi day and the throughout the 10 days of festival, different prasads are offered to appease the great appetite of Lord Ganesh. In South India, Modakam or Vella kozhukkattai with jaggery and coconut filling, laddoos, uppu kozhukkattai , various sundals with lentils,appam,adai and Payasams are offered to the deity. To get acquainted with Vinayaka Chathurthi special preparations visit the links:

www.padhuskitchen.com/.../ganesh-chaturthi-recipes-vinayaga.html

www.vegrecipesofindia.com/ganesh-chaturthi-recipes-vinayaka-chaturthi- recipes/

History of Mass Ganesh Chathurthi Celebration:

Although it is unknown when (or how) Ganesh Chaturthi was first observed, the festival has been publicly celebrated in Pune since the era of Shivaji (1630–1680, founder of the Maratha Empire).The Peshwas (hereditary administrators of the empire from 1718 until its end in 1818) encouraged the celebrations in their capital, Pune, since Ganesh was their family god (Kuladevata) With the fall of the Peshwas, the Ganesh festival lost state patronage and became a private family celebration in Maharashtra until its revival by Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak.Tilak recognized Ganesh's appeal as "the god for everybody",popularising Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival to "bridge the gap between Brahmins and 'non-Brahmins' and find a context in which to build a new grassroots unity between them, generating nationalistic fervour in the Maharashtran people to oppose British colonial rule. He was the first to install large public images of Ganesh in pavilions, and established the practise of submerging the idols in rivers, the sea or other bodies of water on the tenth day of the festival.

Encouraged by Tilak, Ganesh Chaturthi facilitated community participation and involvement in the forms of intellectual discourse, poetry recitals, plays, concerts, and folk dances. It was a meeting ground for people from all castes and communities at a time when the British discouraged social and political gatherings to control the population.

Cherukunnu Sree Annapoorneshwari Temple, Pazhayangadi, Kannur

http://www.cherukunnuannapoorneswaritemple.in

Cherukunnu Annapoorneshwari Temple, also known as Cherukunnilamma Temple, is the only Durga temple in Kerala where Goddess Parvathi  is in ‘Annapoorna Bhavam’ (Goddess of Nourishment). ‘Annam’ in Malayalam language means ‘food’ and ‘Poornam’ (purnam) means full. The meaning of the Bhavam Annapurna is one who gives food to every needy in plenty. Here the idol is consecrated with a ladle in one hand. Annapurna is the goddess with a golden ladle. 

Sree Annapoorneshwari Temple is situated in Cherukunnu, 15 km from Taliparamaba, in Kannur district of Kerala, India. This temple is in a beautiful locality  with back waters around a large portion, and in the midst of hills with greenery all around.

At this Temple, Lord Krishna is enshrined with Sree Annapoorneswari. It is believed that Sree Annapoorneswari had visited this shrine which was under the sea. There is a mythological belief that this shrine was elevated by Sage Parashurama.

Significance:

The belief about the structure of the temple is that the same is made of polished stones bonded with a mixture of flattened rice and jaggery (Avil and Vellam). 'Cheru' means small and 'kunnu' means hill that is, small hill. Around this place there are five small hills. Hence the place got the name Cherukunnu. There is a Mythological version, according to which a heap of cooked rice is made 'choru kunnu', to offer to the people who come here for their par-taking the food prasaadams (Annadhanam). The word 'Chorukunnu' later changed into 'Cherukunnu'.

Situated next to Cherukunnu Temple on the right side is the temple pond . The pond is of about 2.5 acres in area and is called as Chira, which remains full throughout the year. In the center of this Chira there is a stambham or pole. The pond  has four major entrances. On the south west side of the pond there is shelter. This sheltered portion of the pond is exclusively for the use of the priests .

As the name Annapoorna indicates, Annadhanam (free food distribution) is a very important offering to the goddess. The food, rice with at least one gravy curry is given to the devotees as the prasaadams. This temple gives food to all devotees who come here for worship and want to take food. Food is offered two times, during lunch and dinner every day. The chuttambalam – naalambalam surrounding the sanctum sanctorum is vast to take care of the dining place (Outta Pura) for the devotees to partake the food offered. The temple is acclaimed as offering food in abundance to those who come here to worship.

History:

Cherukunnu Annapurna Temple was supposed to have been built during the 5th century AD. This temple is the principal deity worshiped (family deity) by the erstwhile Ruling family of Chirakkal. The temple was renovated by the Avittam Thirunal Valiya Raja. The present form of the temple is more than century old. A Punah Prathista was done in the year 1994 on the Pooyam star day of Kumbha month of Malayalam era. 

Festivals:

The main festival is the Vishu Vilakku in April every year. This is celebrated for a full week with spectacular fireworks and performances of other forms arts. 

The Prathistha dinam is observed on Pooyam star day of malayalam month Kumbha . Maha Shivaratri, Navami and Ekadasi are also celebrated in this temple. 

Management of the temple is done by the temple committee under the Malabar Devasom Board. 

The temple now has a website (http://www.cherukunnuannapoorneswaritemple.in) where it offers online puja booking for its devotees spread across the world. Website also has a wealth of information about the temple.

Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple, Palappuram, Ottappalam, Palakkad

http://www.chinakkathoorkshethram.in

The temple is one of the oldest Devi temples in Kerala, situated in Palappuram in Ottapalam Taluk. There are two sancta sanctorum (sreekovil) in the temple which is endowed with the presence of goddess Bhadrakali, namely thazhathe kaavu (lower shrine) and mele kaavu (upper shrine). Traditionally, the pujas in the lower shrine are performed by priests from Namboothiri community whereas those in the upper shrine are performed by priests belonging to Kulangara Nair family.

The temple opens at 5am and closes after the pujas and rituals in the morning around 10.30 am. Normally the rituals include ganapathyhomam, Ushapuja and Uchapuja . The temple reopens for the evening pujas at 5pm. After the deeparadhana and athazhapuja, both the sancta sanctorum will be closed around 8pm.

Palappuram is a small town, located 4 km from Ottapalam, between Palakkad and the Shoranur Highway in Kerala, South Indian noted for the famous Chinakkathur Temple and its festival (known as Chinakkathur pooram) held every year during February/March at the famous Chinakkattoorkkavu Temple of Goddess Durga.

Legend:

There is a myth about the origin of the Chinakkathoor temple which goes back to the Ramayana period. Rama and Lakshmana were wandering in search of Sita when they reached Vilwadri (the Vilwa Mountain). They told lord Ayyappa and Bhagavathy who were accompanying them to find a place to take rest. When they did not return even after a long time, Rama and Lakshmana went looking for them and found them taking rest at the top of the hill. The myth has it that an angry Rama pushed lord Ayyappa down to the south and gave a good beating to Bhagavathy. (The shrine of lord Ayyappa at Vilwadri temple is situated in a lower part from the rest of the structure now- like a pit and the deity is called kundile ayyappan or Ayyappa in the pit!).   

Beaten up by Rama, Bhagavathy ran away from there crying “ayyayyo” and stopped running when she reached Chinakkathoor, Palappuram and took position there, facing the north.

      

The temple faces to the south today. There is a myth regarding this as well.

      

In the year of 1757, Samoothiri and his army were on their way to attack Paliathachan. When the king and his retinue reached Palappuram, he noticed that the palanquin bearers have stopped moving. When enquired about this, he was informed that there resided the most benevolent Bhagavathy who is sure to hear the prayers of the devotees.

   

Samoothiri got down from the palanquin, walked to the north and thus asked: “who is it?”, and the Bhagavathy turned to south to face him and replied: “It is Kali.”

      

Samoothiri duly paid obeisance to Bhagavathy. Since his obstructions were removed, Samoothiri was ready to carry on with his journey. Before leaving the place, he ordered his men to celebrate the annual festival of the temple with all the pomp and glory. He entrusted the landlords to carry out the proceedings of the festival with 16 wooden horses. Kuthirakali - a ritual game of these wooden horses- is performed as part of the festival (pooram) even now.

      

It is believed that the Bhagavathy in the lower shrine is self-manifested or created by its own accord (swayambu). It is also said that Chinakkathoor temple used to be a place of worship for the people from the lower caste. There is yet another myth which suggests this. Once upon a time, a cheruma girl was cutting grass for her cattle. When she tried to sharpen her knife on a rock, it began to bleed. She was frightened and called up her elders. The older members of the community gathered and felt the presence of Bhagavathy there. They decided to worship Bhagavathy there and tried digging at the sides of the stone to know its depth. But even after digging for a long time, they couldn’t reach the root of the stone. From then onwards, that place came to be known as Chinakkathoor, to mean chinakkiyedutha ooru (the place which was dug out).

Chinakkathoor Pooram:

The pooram at Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple, Palappuram, Palakkad, popularly known as Chinakkathoor Pooram, is one of the major pooram festivals of North Kerala.The Chinakkathoor Pooram is one festival one will not be able to forget for its uniqueness, colourfulness and organic nature with smell of soil and spirit of nature. This Pooram is one which lasts for a full day. In the evening, thirty three caparisoned tuskers march in a grand procession accompanied by percussion ensemble which is typical of temple tradition. 

Pooram commences with Koothu and Pooram molayidal function happens ten days prior to the actual pooram. From the time Pooram molayidal happens, People start yelling for help (ayyayyo ayyayyo ) which is there in the myths of Chinakkathoor Pooram. . There's a huge local and global crowd who come here to see the Pooram festival. The pooram is accompanied by Elephants and the traditional Melam. Huge man made Horses (Kuthira) made out of straw, paper and cloth are the special attraction of this festival. It is unique in the sense that nowhere else Poorams has these Horses.

kuthira kali during festival

Chinakkathoor pooram is celebrated on Makam Day in the Malayalam month of kumbham which recollection is the vigour and spirit of Mamankam. Valluvanad, the cultural capital of Malabar offers the exquisite beauty of customery arts and Folklores on this occasion in a grand manner. The spectacular procession of 27 caparisoned tuskers with the accompaniment of panchavadyam and pandimelam provide a colourful show to the viewers of Valluvanad. We can see a torrential flow of traditional arts and folklores like Poothan, Thira, Pulikkali, Kumbhamkali, Kudakkali, Theru (chariot), Thattinmelkooth (Dance on the platform) with inexhaustible energy and indomitable enthusiasm to the much acclaimed soil of Chinakkathoor Temple on the same day. The celebration of the above arts provide a footstomping music and influential step which pervade the artistic vision of valluvanad.. The swashbucking performance of pulikkali & Ox Play (kaalakali), ear-breaking sound of para (drum) of Thira & Pootham), Variety of attractive illuminated Panthals, intensive movement of jubilant mob to chinakkathoor neglecting the penetrating heat of kumbham which reveals that nothing else can substitute this festival. On the pooram day, people of Chinakkathoor Thattakam (place) would assemble on the temple ground irrespective of caste and religion to celebrate the festival bidding farewell to their crisis and struggles. Every one would like to participate in the predominant game of Chinakkathoor Pooram.

There are 7 desams (areas) participating in this festival which includes Ottapalam, Pallarmangalam, Palappuram, Erakkottiri, Meetna, South Mangalam & North Mangalam who are striving hard for making the festival a grandeur occasion which shows Keralas rich and vibrant culture.

Chinakkathoor Pooram is a very colorful festival.After the Pooram molayidal Poothan and Thira will visit each and every hindu houses of Valluvanad. Poothan Thira has also got som’e myth behind them.. This is what it says “A typical Poothan Thira performance comprising mostly shouts and wild gestures. The duo is immensely popular amongst the natives and an essential part of the village festivals of the region. Poothan player usually wear in bright (usually red), tightly woven costumes embellished with gold-coloured trinkets. Their larger than life headdresses with peacock features and imposing masks with stick out tongues and eyes are sure to leave an unbelievable imagination to the viewer. Thira player wears semicircular black crown mounted on his head with symbols of the goddess embossed on the same. We can see many Thira players with extra ordinary acrobatic skills who makes the performance a real treat to watch.” Nayadis a particular tribe of people also visit the homes ,singing their tribal songs. One of the song and the lyrics goes like this ….“Naayaadi Naayaadi Chankara Naayaadi” accompanied by the special effects created by hitting two bamboo sticks.

The next custom is Parayeduppu. Velichapaadu who is believed to be the revealer of light, is a mediator between the deity and the devotees. ‘Velichappadu’ literally means ‘the one who throws light on any problems.’ Possessed by the deity, Velichappadu (oracle) dances in frenzy at the festivals in Bhagavati temples. Velichappadu visits each and every house to accept para( which is a vessel used to measure cereals) filled with paddy, Neyyappam, Plantain etc.

The ceremony that comes next is Kuthirakku Thalavekkal. Many huge stuffed horse models are built using bamboo sticks(framework), Plantain leaves(stuffing). Each horse depicts a soldier of army. Once they are done with the body building fixing the head of Kuthirakku Thala Vekkal happens. Valluvanad is divided in to different Desams or villages and all of them have their own troups of this horse armies. On the pooram day people carry this horses to Chinakkathoor Temple and performs the Kuthirakali. This horses compete with each other at the pooram ground. The one who throws or lifts the horse the highest is believed to be the best player. Pooram starts with the horse rally .The Horse rally or Kuthira pooram is followed by the Aanapooram or Tusker Rally. After the kuthirapooram and Aana pooram fireworks happens at the temple ground. Though majority of people leave after the fire works all of them come back to the ground by early morning for the pakalpooram.

The temple now has a website (http://www.chinakkathoorkshethram.in) where it offers online puja booking for its devotees spread across the world. Website also has a wealth of information about the temple.

Cherpulassery Sree Ayyappan Temple, Palakkad

http://www.cherpulasserysriayyappankavu.in

Cherpullasery Ayyappa temple also known as the Sabarimala of malabar, is the holy haven where Shree Dharmashastha is present with his consort Prabhadevi and son Satyka.This temple is one of the 108 Shastha temples which has a history of more than 1200 years .

It was known that more than 10 Namboothiri families lived in this vicinity. One among them started a penance at the Thiruvullakkavu Shastha temple in Peruvanam village, Thrissur with a wish of fathering a son.Afer yeards of penance and hardships he became weak and decided to return home. The next day was his birthday. Early next morning he noticed a stone in he form of a quadrangle which was not there before. Being a pious and faithful worshipper, he could easily make out that this was nothing but the devine form of Shastha. He prepared and offered a rice cake (known as Ada) with the rice and jaggery he had with him.Rice and jaggery cake is accepted as the most favorite offering to Dharma Shastha even today. .

By the gracefu blessing of lord Shastha, a baby boy was born to them. But since that boy waned to become an ideal mendicant he even forgot to get married when he grew up. Gradually the sole member of the family also passed away without a heir. Later, by the tireless efforts of their manager, Umikkunnathu Nair, the residence was converted to a temple. The jasmin baug in the quadrangle became the sanctum sanctorum and its surrounding roofed structure became the temple kitchen .

Speciality of the temple:

After practising veda, vedantha and upanishads Sree Dharma Shastha ascended the ultimate throne of wisdom, hence today Cherpullasery Ayyappa Temple is an important center for the initiation of literacy. This temple is one of the very few temples where Ayyappa is being worshipped with fire and ballads.

Worshipping Sree Sharma Shastha as a complete man is the most ideal, hence pregnant women in their 7th mont of pregnancy visit the temple and pray for a comfortable delivery and intelligent baby. The offering is found very popular and effective .

Offerings:

For full-filling devotee's wishes "Theeyattu" is very famous ritual which is done here . If someone have any wishes he can offer Theeyattu for Shasthavu(ayyappan) and its believed that wish will be fulfilled. 

101 Nazhi Ari Ada Vazhipadu is also a very famous Offering which is done here for fulfilment of long pending wishes. Offering or vazhipadu is done after fulfilling the wish .

Neeranjana lamp and Ada Naivedyam are most important offering. 1st Saturdays of Malayalam calender months is special.

Festivals:

Event called "Theeyattu" starts on 1st of Vrichikam month of malayalam calendar. It lasts for 40 days. 

Aarattu is on 10th day of Uthram in Kumbham month. Also used to have Kalam Paattu on these days.  

The temple now has a website (http://www.cherpulasserysriayyappankavu.in) where it offers online puja booking for its devotees spread across the world. Website also has a wealth of information about the temple.

Sree Pambummekkattu Mana, Mukundapuram, Thrissur

http://www.pambummekkattumana.devaayanam.in

nagaraja and nagayakshi

Pambummekkattu Mana is the most famous Serpent worship centre in Kerala. The Pambummekattu lllam (also known as Mana) stands in Vadama village, a part of Mukundapuram Taluk in Thrissur District, Kerala. The nearest railway station is 10 km away at Chalakudy.Devotees can reach here by road from any part of Kerala. The believers can take Thrice - Mala route; 2.5 Km North to Mala stands the Meikkattu Mana west to the main road. The name of the bus stop itself is Mekkattu Junction.

The Serpent Gods Nagaraja (male God) and Naga Yakshi (female God) reside in the eastern portion of Mekkattu Mana. The peculiarity is that there are no idols of these Gods, but daily poojas are conducted.

The Pambu Mekkattu  is spread over six acres of land with five "Serpant Kavus" (Kavu is sacred garden). The Pambummekkattu land is kept in its virgin style with huge trees and thick vegetation. Thousands of bats are dwelling on these trees. Only on rare occasions the devotees are allowed to enter into the Pambummekkattu Temple for worship. In the center court of the Pambummekkattu Mana there is shrine of Bhadrakali.

On the 1st of the Malayalam month "Vrischikam" (November 17) of the Keralites' calendar many devotees of Sabarimala Ayyappa come to Pambu Mekkattu in order to get the blessing of Serpent Gods. "Noorum Palum" (food and milk) offering to the snakes is on this day.To participate in this auspicious ceremony, thousands throng, even from faraway places. Serpent worship is very common in Kerala and the tradition is centuries old. 

The oil from the "Kedavilakku" (all time burning oil-lamp) of this temple in Pambummekkattu Mana is used as a medicine for skin diseases which is believed to be caused due to the fury of snakes.

Legend:

There is a legend behind how Mekkattu Mana became Pampumekkattu Mana.

Once Mekkattu Mana was suffering from acute poverty and miseries. The sufferings were so unbearable that the Head of the family decided to stay in prayers and meditation in Thiruvanchikulam Temple at Kodungallur, about 15 km away from Mala.He stayed there and prayed continuously for twelve years. One day early morning he went to the temple pond of Thiruvanchikulam to fetch some water where he saw a strange man near the pond with extra-ordinary body structure.

The "Namboodiri" (Malayalam word for male Brahmins) asked him to reveal his identity. But the strange man responded in a vague manner. The Namboodiri realized that the strange person who was standing near the pond was an unusual divine power, he asked him to give the precise ring that he was wearing to show his friends and Kodungallur Thampuran.The ring so given to the Namboodiri was returned and immediately on receiving it back the man disappeared. As the identity of the strange man was still a mystery, the Namboodiri’s mind was unsettled.

On the next day Namboodiri went to the Thiruvanchikulam pond as usual to take water, he saw the same mystery man near the pond. The Namboodiri bowed down at his feet and requested him to reveal his identity. The mystery man said, "I am Vasuki" (Vasuki is the serpent God according to Hindu Mythology) and to prove his identity he squeezed himself to a ring similar to the one Lord Parameswaran wore in his finger.At this strange sight, the Namboodiri got fainted. When Namboodiri came to his normalcy, Vasuki asked him, what kind of blessings that he wished to have. The Namboodiri replied that he wanted to have Vasuki's presence in his Illam (Illam or Mana means Brahmin's house in Malayalam) to have prosperity in his Illam. Vasuki agreed to his request and disappeared.

Soon after he got the blessings of Vasuki, the Namboodiri returned to his Illam - Mekkattu Mana - at Vadama near Mala. He put his palm-leaf umbrella in the Kizhakkini (eastern court of the Mekkattu Illam) of the Mekkattu Illam and went for bath. After the bath when he came to take the umbrella, he saw a snake on the umbrella greeting him. The snake transformed himself to Vasuki and added that Nagayakshi (godess of serpents) will also soon be presented there.

After a while, the eldest Antharjanam (malayalam word for Brahmin lady) of the Mekkattu Illam came there. She put her palm-leaf umbrella (in the olden days, Brahmin ladies, as a custom, used to hold palm-leaf umbrellas, to cover up their face, which are unfoldable, while moving out their Illams) in the portico before stepping into the home. Soon a snake appeared there on the umbrella and slowly moved to the Kizhakkini of Mekkattu Mana.

On reaching the Kizhakkini, the snake manifested into a beautiful lady and took position near Vasuki. They both ordered the Namboodiri to install them as idols at the place they stand and consider them as their family deities. They also suggested to keep two "Kedavilakku" (means a lamp kept burning using oil) in the Kizhakkini of the Mekkattu Illam ever lighting.

The Mekkattu Namboodiri did everything according to the directions and continued daily rituals to appease them. Thereafter, the Mekkattu Mana (Illam) came to be known as "Pampumekkattu Mana" (pampu means snake in Malayalam) and became prosperous day by day and very famous. The memories of the Great Serpent Gods who to the Pambummekkattu Mana as snakes still fill the hearts of the devotees with blessings and happiness.

Special Occasions:

1. First of the month of Vrishchikam(mid November).

2. Ayilyam in the month of Kanni(mid sept-mid oct).

3. From Thiruvonam to Bharani in the month of Meenam (mid March to Mid April).

4. Tenth of the month of Medam(mid of April).

The most important occation in Mekkattu Mana is first of Vrishchikam. That day is celebrated as the festival of Serpent Gods and every Serpent Gods and every Serpent God is pleased that day by giving lime (calcium oxide) and milk. It is believed that only the members of the Mekkattu family has the right to conduct Sarpabali. From the first of Vrishchikam to 41 days, Sarpabali is conducted as a special offering every evening. Other than this, the Bali is conducted on chosen days decided by the Mana. During Mandalakalam (41 days from Vrishchikam 1), 'Kalamezhuthum Pattum' is conducted. Only 'Sarpapattu' is conducted and not'Pulluvanpattu'.

Offerings At Pambummekkattu Mana:

The main offerings are Vella Nivedyam, Kootupayasam, Palpayasam, Kadalipazha Nivedyam, Manjalpodi Charthal, Vilakkuvekkal, Sarpabali, Payasa Homam, Naga Prathishta, Noorum Palum, Pushpanjali, Malakku, Prathima Pooja, Abhishekamv, Thulabharamv, Annaprasham, Ayilya Pooja and Rahu Pooja.

The favourite offering to Serpent Gods is 'Kadalipazha Nivedyam'(a kind of banana). 'Noorum Palum' (lime and milk) is offered only in special occasions. 

'Thulabharam' and 'Annaprasham' are offered by couples to be blessed with a baby.