KOCHI: The Malayalam month of Karkidakam is regarded as the ideal time for undergoing spiritual and physical rejuvenation, as traditionally monsoon rainfall enters its vigorous mode in Kerala around this time.
Since the health of human beings will be weak in the Karkidakam month aka ‘Panja Masam’ (lean season), the markets are flooded with a plethora of offerings promising spiritual and physical rejuvenation. From special religious discourses to ‘Karkidaka Kanji’ ready-mix - a special porridge made during this season - the city markets are bustling with new offers to observe the Ramayana Month, as Karkidakam is popularly known.
The Oushadhi Panchakarma Hospital in Thrissur has come out with various types of ‘Oushadha Kanji’ for those following the traditional Karkidakam diet. The various types of porridges, include ‘jeeraka kanji’, ‘dhashapushpa kanji’, ‘uluva kanji’, ‘njavara kanji’ and ‘wheat kanji’. It is believed serving the ‘Karkidaka kanji’, a spicy mix of rice and medicinal herbs, will rejuvenate the body at the height of South West Monsoon.
Besides, the Nalambla Pilgrimage, an annual pilgrimage to the four temples dedicated to the heroes of Ramayana, begins on Monday. The Nalambalam Darshana Coordination Committee and various government departments and temple committees have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage in central Kerala which will be thronged by devotees during the period. The Thriprayar Sree Rama temple, Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple,
Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Perumal temple and Payammal Shathrughna temple are the main temples connected with the pilgrimage.The ‘Nalambala Theerthayathra’ is considered auspicious by many. The pilgrimage involves offering prayers at the four temples, all located within a 35 km-radius in Thrissur district, on a single day. It starts with a visit to the Rama temple in Thriprayar and ends with Shathrughna Temple at Payammal in Vellangallur. The devotees also visit the temple for Bharata at Irinjalakkuda and Lakshmana at Moozhikkulam during the pilgrimage.
According to Thomas Unniyadan MLA, chairman of Nalambalam Darshana Coordination Committee, the state government has deployed two KSRTC buses for this annual pilgrimage. The inauguration of the KSRTC services connecting the four temples will take place on Tuesday. Besides, the government had granted `4 crore for the ‘Nalambala Pilgrim Circuit’ project conceived by the Nalambala Darshana Coordination Committee.
The temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements to receive hordes of pilgrims during the season. A special pandal which can accommodate several thousand pilgrims has been constructed at the temple. Besides, CCTV cameras have been mounted at various strategic points inside and outside the temples with the aim to ensuring foolproof security to pilgrims, said the officers.