KOCHI: Many parts of the world celebrate Valentine’s Day. But centuries before the celebration came into existence Ekadashi Vadakkedathu Mana, an ancient Namboothiri family, was witness to a divine love affair, between one of their great-grandmothers, Nangema Antherjanam and Lord Sree Poornathrayeeshan. The anniversary of Nangema Antherjanam’s love story is on the Pooradam Star in the Malayalam month Kumbham, which falls on 21st February, Saturday, a week after Valentine’s day.
The young and beautiful Nangema Antherjanam of Vadakkedathu Mana was not just another devotee of Sree Poornathrayeeshan; she had worshipped him from childhood. Her ardent devotion soon turned into deep divine love. She would start her daily routine only after visiting the temple. But in accordance with the old system, her parents decided to conduct her Veli (the traditional wedding in Namboothiri families ) with a groom from a distant place when she became a teenager. But Nangema could not even imagine leaving her beloved God. One evening, standing before the sanctum sanctorium of the Sree Poornathrayeesha Temple, she began to weep.
Legend says that a voice from the sanctum sanctorium asked Nangema to leave all her ornaments at the Sopanam (holy steps) and enter the Sreekovil. The divine love story ends with the eternal union of Nangema with Lord Sree Poornathrayeeshan.
Vrischikotsavam, the annual festival of this temple, is considered to be the celebration of the marriage between the two. Thus the festival is also called Nangapennu Ulsavam.
The members of the Ekadashi Vadakkedathu Mana still observe the unique ritual of receiving Lord Poornathrayeeshan near the Ekadashi Perumthrikkovi on 21st February.
“We still consider Sree Poornathrayeeshan as the beloved life partner of our great-grandmother and perform special poojas when the deity visits the Mana,” said Sankaran Namboothiri, the eldest male member of Vadakkedathu Mana.
Special rituals are held in the Mana as part of the ceremonial visit.
This is the sixth day of the Para Ulsavam and on this particular day the Melshanthi instead of the Keezhshanthi carries the idol of Sree Poornathrayeeshan atop the tusker.
The idol of Sree Poornathrayeeshan is taken to the Vadakkini of Vadakkedathu Mana where the seniormost female member (at present Uma Antharjanam) and the seniormost male member (Sankaran Namboothiri) offer milk and plantain to the idol. After completing the rituals Vasudevan Valiamoothathu, the traditional temple trustee gives new clothes to the seniormost female member of Vadakkedathu Mana and requests her sanction for Sree Poornathrayeeshan to take leave of the house.
Uma Antherjanam, after receiving the Onapudava, takes three rounds of the idol and makes way for the God. Today the grand old Vadakkedathu Mana is no longer there. But this unique ritual continues to be held.
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