Festivals

The Festivals are conducted in accordance with the unique and rich traditions of the temple. Following are the major festivals conducted -listed month wise.

January

Illam Nara (Paddy Harvesting) : The Kayanna Sri Bhagavathi Temple owns about 80 cents of paddy field and harvesting is done during the month of January (Makaram) each year before the presence of hundreds of ardent devotees. The harvesting is done by a peasant under the direction and guidance of of the Thanthri and Melsanthi (Priest) of the temple. The peasant observes rituals very strictly before he goes to the field to cut and bind the grain. The paddy thus harvested is made into small bundles and those bundles are presented before the deity, accompanied by devotees chanting 'Bhajans'. Special poojas are arrranged for the same. Devotees receive this paddy as sacred gift, for, they consider it as a symbol of prosperity.

February

Nagapooja (Snake worship) : This is an important event in the month of February (Kumbham - Ayilyam day). Snake worship has been an integral part of human life since the time immemorial. The Kayanna Sri Bhagavathi Temple offers its devotees a chance to worship Nagadevatha once in a year, especially on the Ayilyam day of the month of Kumbham. Hundreds of devotees participate in the Nagapooja by offering tender coconuts, eggs and other essential things.

March

March is the month of the most special and the biggest festivals of Kayanna Sri Bhagavathi Temple . Utsavam is conducted during this month.

Consecration (Birthday) celebration : This happens on the day of 'Atham', in the month of Meenam, every year. This festive occation is celebrated for one week, commencing generally from March 23rd- March 29th. Special poojas, Prasada oottu (free meal to the public), Thayambaka, fireworks and so on mark the speciality of the occasion.

Kodiyettam (Flag hosting) marks the beginning of the festival . This is performed by the Thanthri, at a blessed time on the first day, i.e Meenam 9th. On the following four days there will be non-stop Namajapam(chanting of devi's sacred names), free meal supply to devotees, cultural programs etc. besides customary temple activities. Rice , vegetables and other articles for the free meal is procured through 'Kalavara Nirakkal' (Filling the store) which, the devotees consider as a chance to present their agricultural products before the deity.

'Kulamuri' ( cutting and procuring bunches of tender coconuts): On the sixth day, the temple 'Thandan' leads a group of devotees, following by drum beating, to a temple activity called 'Kulamuri'. There are different committees for different areas to make this a grand success. This is a day long activity. The small groups will converge in the nearby bazaar at around 5.30pm , from there the small fragments are merged into one big procession and starts towards the temple at about 6.30pm. Though the temple is a stone's throw from the bazaar, the procession will take about 2 hours to reach the temple. The procession is lead by the members of the committee. Devotees carrying 'Deepams' (oil lamps) arrayed in two rows, 'Vadyamelam' (Orchestra using traditional temple instruments), 'Karadivesham' (imitation bear), fire works, caparisoned elephant and a large number of rejoicing peoplefollow the procession.

Pallivetta (Royal hunting) happens on the sixth day at 9pm. The deity, mounted on a caparisoned elephant, proceeds to the nearby 'kavu' accompanied by the Thanthri, members of the committee, and rejoicing devotees. It is believed that this is the occasion when Amma visits the village. After a short rest underneath the three huge trees, believed to be centuries old, Amma returns to her abode followed by a huge number of devotees. Soon after her reentry into the temple, the people of the village get ready to witness a spectacular firework in the nearby field. Watching this is a rare and unique experience.

Thalappoli (oil lamps procession) happens on the seventh day. This is the most important day of the week long festival. Apart from the traditional and customary activities, an enchanting , mesmerising sight is the thalappoli. Hundreds of devotees carrying oil lamps and moving in a procession. There is a huge peepal tree in the middle of the bazaar and the first lamp is lighted from the burning lamp placed at the bottom of the tree. Hundreds of lamps are lighted then, and people carrying these lamps proceed to the temple in a procession. This culminates with a vibrant firework.

Thayampaka (Drum procession) is an essential item of the festival in each and every temples in Kerala. The item is performed by eminent artists for 2 to 2.5 hours each day during the festival. This really , is an enchanting performance for the eyes as well as for the ears. Spectators stand benumbed throughout the performance.

Kulicharattu (Dip in the sacred pond). After the thayampaka, Amma starts for a sacred dip in the nearby pond. Hundreds of devotees follow her in awe and after her return to the temple, the occasion is marked by a colourful firework.

Festival Culmination: As a mark of the culmination of the template festival, the hoisted flag is brought down after performing the usual rituals.

Other cultural programmes

In order to encourage, propagate, expand and boost the traditional temple arts of Kerala, the template committee arranges 'Kathakali', 'Ottan thullal', 'Chkyar koothu', 'Akshara sloka sadassu' and dances, drama and other such arts during the festival week.

Cultural Meetings: With a view to encouraging the students and the educational values of the locality, the committee awards cash prizes to the students who excel in the 7th, 10th and 12th classes from the local schools. Submission of annual report and financial aid to needy patients are also done in time to time.

Prasada Oottu (Free sacred meal): The festival committee provides good vegetable meals as 'Prasadam' to thousands of people, irrespective of caste , creed or religion. All items for the meal -"from salt to camphor"- as is the saying, are procured through "Kalavara Nirakkal'. Devotees are eager to contribute anything and everything as their offering to the goddess. The local chefs prepare delicious food and volunteers supply it to the people. Mathrusamithi members also take part in the production and distribution of the food.

April

Vishu Kani : A grand Vishu kani is organized and arranged on the Vishu day in the temple at 3.30am every year. A large number of devotees queue up or the first sight- kani - of things arranged in the bronze utensil in front of the deity.

July-August

Ramayana Masam (The month of Ramayana) : Chanting of Ramayana throughout the month of 'Karkitakam' is a speciality in the temple.

August-September

Onam Celbration : Onam is celebrated in the temple with due importance. Devotees throng in great numbers to have a look at the 'Pookkalam'

October

Navarathri: Navarathri has a great importance because it is connected with education and goddess. Mahanavami and Vijaya dashami are celebrated with traditional importance. Thousands turn up on the Vijaya dashami day to get their children perform 'Ariyilezhuthu' (writing the alphabet for the first time in raw rice). Besides this , Vahanapooja (Vehicle Pooja), Grantha pooja (Books pooja) are also performed during this occasion.

November-December

Karthika Vilakku: Karthika is the birth star of the goddess and it is the duly celebrated with pomp and splendor, under the leadership of the Thanthri. This event is termed as 'Karthika Vilakku'.

Mandala Pooja and Ayyappan Vilakku :Mandala Maasam- the month of Mandalam- falls in November and December. During this month, devotees prepare to have a darshan of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala. Prior to this darshan , they observe a 41 days long Vritham, i.e confinement from all vices. They visit the Ayyappa Bhajana Madom on the south west corner of the temple and conduct Ayyappan Vilakku, Bhajan etc.