Koodalmanikyam Arattu
Date : May 13 - 23, 2011
Venue : Manavalassery Village near Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
The historic Koodalmanikyam temple, located in the village of Manavalassery, about nine kilometres from the Irinjalakuda railway station, has Lord Bharata as its deity, a rarity among the temples of Kerala.
The festival - Koodalmanikyam Arattu - is held annually for all days in Medom (April-May) from Uthram to Thiruvonam asterisms. The flag hosting is performed on the Uthram asterisk in the month of Medom and the Thidambu Ezhunnallathu - the deity’s ceremonial outing – on all days of the duration of the festival, during the morning and night.
Seventeen caparisoned elephants take part in the procession to the accompaniment of the enchanting beats of the percussion ensembles of the Panchavadyam and the Panchari Melam. One unique feature of the Seeveli is that two baby elephants are also part of the procession, one on each side of the main elephant carrying the deity. This gala procession is the main attraction of the festival. Another major crowd-puller is the performances of Kathakali, the renowned classical dance-drama of Kerala, which starts on mid-night from the second day of the temple festival.
Ashtapadi hymns are sung at the Sopana mandapam daily, in the mornings and evenings. There are also many performances of traditional performing art forms at the koothambalam, the temple theatre. These include the Chakiyar Koothu, the Ottan Thullal, the Seethangan Thullal, the Kurathiyattam, and the Nangiar Koothu, among others. Performances by percussion maestros of the Thayambaka, the Maddalam, and the Nadaswaram are also an integral part of the festival.
Venue : Manavalassery Village near Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
The historic Koodalmanikyam temple, located in the village of Manavalassery, about nine kilometres from the Irinjalakuda railway station, has Lord Bharata as its deity, a rarity among the temples of Kerala.
The festival - Koodalmanikyam Arattu - is held annually for all days in Medom (April-May) from Uthram to Thiruvonam asterisms. The flag hosting is performed on the Uthram asterisk in the month of Medom and the Thidambu Ezhunnallathu - the deity’s ceremonial outing – on all days of the duration of the festival, during the morning and night.
Seventeen caparisoned elephants take part in the procession to the accompaniment of the enchanting beats of the percussion ensembles of the Panchavadyam and the Panchari Melam. One unique feature of the Seeveli is that two baby elephants are also part of the procession, one on each side of the main elephant carrying the deity. This gala procession is the main attraction of the festival. Another major crowd-puller is the performances of Kathakali, the renowned classical dance-drama of Kerala, which starts on mid-night from the second day of the temple festival.
Ashtapadi hymns are sung at the Sopana mandapam daily, in the mornings and evenings. There are also many performances of traditional performing art forms at the koothambalam, the temple theatre. These include the Chakiyar Koothu, the Ottan Thullal, the Seethangan Thullal, the Kurathiyattam, and the Nangiar Koothu, among others. Performances by percussion maestros of the Thayambaka, the Maddalam, and the Nadaswaram are also an integral part of the festival.
