THRISSUR: Flags have gone up for ‘Devamela’ (the largest assembly of Gods on earth) with the ceremonial ‘kodiyettam’ (flag hoisting) at Sree Sastha temple at Arattupuzha in Thrissur on Thursday, marking the beginning of the seven-day Arattupuzha Pooram festivities.
According to legends, all Gods and Goddesses gather at Arattupuzha temple during the night of Devamela, which falls on April 1 this year.
As per records, it had been a festival in which 108 temples in and around the ‘cultural capital’ have been taking part. But it’s been reduced over years and now around 23 temples take part in the festival. Among them, 11 temples are dedicated to Sasta and 11 to ‘devies’ besides the one to the chief guest Thripryaar ‘thevar’.
Arattupuzha festival lost its glory as Thrissur Pooram gained importance on its introduction by erstwhile ruler of the state of Cochin, Ramavarma Sakthan Thampuran.
However, it is regaining its lost glory these days as it is the only festival in the state which parade around 100-odd mighty jumbos in a row of procession.
The ceremonial ‘kodiyettam’ was performed at the temple at 8.00 pm Thursday.Prior to the ritual, the flag pole, an arecanut tree, decorated with mango tree leaves and banyan tree leaves alternately, was brought to the temple by devotees in a procession.
Later, the devotees near the locality hoisted the flag post in the presence of temple priest.
After the flag hoisting, an elephant without paraphernalia, was led to the boundary of Ezhukandam paddy field in the accompaniment of ‘kuthu vilakku’, a kind of traditional lamp.
The elephant was then brought back to the temple amidst the customary blowing of conch, proclaiming the beginning of the seven-day festivities.
The Makayeeram Purappadu ritual, a journey marking the beginning of festivities in other temples, associated with Arattupuzha pooram, was also held simultaneously at Thripryar Sree Rama Swami temple, Cherpu Bhgavati Temple, Oorakathamma Thiruvadi temple, Thottippal temple and other temples.The Peruvanam and Tharakkal poorams associated with the Arattupuzha pooram are also set to be held during the days.
The famed Arattupuzha pooram will be celebrated on the night of April 1, which is an all-night affair centred on a procession of around 80-90 elephants.