Festival Days
The main festival is conducted for 10 Days and is related to Sivarathri. At the end of the festival, the Arattu (Sacred bathing of idols) is in the western Sea which is done at the last part of Amavasi in the month of Kumbham (Phalguna) Auspicious day is the Maha Sivarathri the devotees keep awake during the night till the Sivarathri pooja by lightening lamps and prayers. Shayanapradakshinam after lasting on this auspicious day removes all worries in our lives and help to fulfill our wishes. The arattu bathing in the sea and the procession is connected with that also is very famous. When Pradosna day (it is the time especially meant for praying Lord Siva) comes in between the shivarathi festivai there will be a Rishabavahana Ezhunallippu for Parvathi and Parameswara.
Thiruvaathira day of the Malayalam month DHANU is the birth star of Sree Mahadeva. This day is celebrated as the special AATTA UTSAVAM here. The celebration starts 7 days before the day of Thiruvathira. It includes Navabhishekam, Koodi Ezhunnalathu (Procession with Mahadeva and Parvathi devi) Ethirelppu Thalappoli Uma Maheswara Pushpanjali and Thiruvathira kali. On the evening of the previous day, MAKAYIRAM, devotees from various places bring a lot of substances to the temple, for the Abhishekam of Sree Mahadeva on the THIRUVAATHIRA. Also, turmeric Abhishekam is done for Sree Parvathy on this day. The items for the Abhishekam are often brought to the temple by devotees as Kavadi. SHATHA KALASHA ABHISHEKAM, KALABHAM, PUSHPA ABHISHEKAM, etc. are offered to Lord Mahadeva on THIRUVAATHIRA day. Also, the THIRUVAATHIRA VILAKKU is held on this day, which is a very special custom, which attracts hundreds of people. It is believed that at the time of the THIRUVAATHIRA VILAKKU, all the Gods and the Devas will be present to get the darshan of Lord Shiva. So, getting the darshan at this time is considered very special as well as lucky.
The Navaraathri, which occurs in the KANNI month of the Malayalam year, is yet another important festival here. The PARAYEDUPPU procession to various parts around the temple takes place during this time Parvathy Devi goes to every home in this custom to provide blessings and welfare to all the devotees. PARAYEDUPPU spreads from Kanichukulangara to far-off places like Chettikaadu and Thumpoly, which is close to Aleppey.
PARAYEDUPPU starts after the UCHA pooja Further poojas to Lorri Shiva will be done only after Sree Parvathy returns to the temple at night, as it is believed that Size Mahadeva awaits Sree Parvathy, even without having his food. PARAR YEDUFPU starts is a couple of days before DURGAASHTAMI and ends with the POOJA VAYPPU custom, on the evening of DURGAASHTAMI day.
People keep their tools and students keep their books for pooja at a specially prepared SARASWATI MANDAPAM. On the next day, MAHAA NAVAMI pooja and KALASHAABISHEKAM are done at the temple VIDYAARAMBHAM, which happens on the next day, the VIJAYA DASHAMI, attracts a lot of people from various places
This day is the most important day for Vadakkanappan (Sree Maha Vishnu). The Jayanthi of Lord Sree Krishna is celebrated in the temple with special poojas. Sahasra Nama Japam and Bhaagavatha recitations are done from the morning. Also, special KALABHA Abhishekam and UNNI OOTTU will be done on this day.
After midnight, offerings such as ASHTAABHISHEKAM, ASHTAMI ROHINI POOJA, and APPAM NIVEDYAM are done. Ashtami Rohini Pooja is done at the time of Sree Krishna Avathaaram. Appam Nivedyam can be considered as an offering by the devotees.
The MANDALA KAALAM, which is considered a very holy period for the Hindus is observed with serenity in the temple. Special programs which include special poojas Mandala bhajan, Chuttu vilakku, Bhaagavatha recitation are organized during this period. The Mandala Utsavam lasts for 43 days. Each day's pooja is done as an offering (vazhipaadu) by the devotees. The GURUTHI for Raktheshwari is done during the Mandala Utsavam. The Utsavam starts from Vrischikam 1 and lasts till Dhanu 10. The VALIYA GURUTHI, held on the 40th day, is considered very important.
SAPTHAAHAM, the recitation of Bhaagavatha in seven days, is conducted on the last seven days of the Mandala Utsava season.
The SREE KRISHNA AVATHARAM, RUGMINI SWAYAMVARAM, and KUCHELA GATHI days are considered more important than other days. Also, special DEEPAARAADHANA and ANNA DAANAM are done on Sapthaaham days.
This day is among the days on which the temple attracts the maximum crowd Hundreds of people from various places come to the temple on this day as this day is believed to be the day when the souls of the dead people reach the feet of God. PITHRU NAMASKAARANvi is widely done on this day by lots of devotees.
This vazhipadu is carried out on CHINGAM 1, the New Year day of the Malayalam calendar year. Lakshaarchana is done for the welfare and prosperity of people throughout the year A special mandapam is made and the POOJA KUMBHAM is placed here.
Mhadeva naamam is chanted one lakh times and Archana is being done. Archana Kumbham is te taken to the Sreekovil, after Deepaaradhana, and Abhishekam is done. Devotees can also take part in the pooja. Archana can be done as an offering by the devotees. Devotees can also chant the mantra during the pooja and for this Sahasra namam books are provided by the Dewaswom.
MURAABHISHEKAM is held once in every year. The pooja consists of chanting of the Vedas and Abhishekam being done. Muraabhishekam is done with all three Vedas. VEDAJAPA is considered very important for the blessings of Lord Shiva. It increases the blessing power of the idol. The Abhishekam can be done as an offering by devotees. The Abhishekam starts at 5:00 in the morning. Veda chanting is done in the evening also. The Abhishekam and chanting are done by eminent Vedic Scholars from various parts of the state.
ing power of Idol The Abhishekam can be done as an offering by devotees. The Abhishekam starts at 5:00 in the morning. Veda chanting is done in the evening also. The Abhishekam and chanting is done by eminent Vedic Scholars from various parts of the state
It is a special homam for Parvathi Devi chanting twelve thousand swayan vara mantra. It is held on the 1st Monday in Malayalam Month Midhunam for various obstacles that delay marriage are removed. The eligible bride or groom is blessed with a suitable spouse.
A special pooja at sunset time in Trayodasi day of every month Abhishekam will conduct during the time with Gingelly Oil, Ghee Honey, Milk, Curd, Coconut water, Suger cane juice and Rose water. Pradosham comes in Monday and Saturday with Karthupaksham is called Somapradosham and Shanipradosham respectively which is very special.
On Shanipradosham there will be Hrishabhavaha Ezunellippu for both Siva and Parvathi. Pradhosha time is especially meant for praying to Lord Shiva. Praying in that time will free us from all worries and fulfill our wishes.