By Anjaly Rajendran
The recently concluded Rohini Mahotsavam festival of the Shri Devi Temple at Thekkady was held for ten days in Kumily from the 14th to 23rd April 2023 under the guidance and supervision of Thantri Brahmashri Vijayan Namboodiri Gokulam Thambalakkadu.
The festival commenced on 14th April 2023 with Darshan and Ashtadravya Ganapathy Homam early in the morning. In the evening, the Temple flag was brought from the Bhadrakali Devi Temple of Kumily and was hoisted by Brahmashri Vijayan Namboodiri Gokulam Thambalakkadu at 7.15 p.m in the presence of Shrimati Shanti Saji Mon, President, Kumily Gram Panchayath.
The Shrimath Devi Bhagavatham was conducted during the first nine days by Yaknjacharyar Illathappankavu Shri Janardhanan Namboodhiri. On the first Day of the Devi Bhagavatham Dr. N.Sridhar MS, Jyothi Hospital welcomed the Namboodhri. Annadhanam or distribution of food for the pilgrims who visited the Temple was also organised everyday at noon.
After performing the various poojas and rituals throughout the day a religious discourse by Brahmashri Vijayan Thirumeni and the temple Mel Shanthi Shri Amesh Kavalamkodu was organised during the evenings.
On the 20th April 2023 which marked the seventh day of the festival the Maha Chandika Homam was performed. The day ended on a bright note with the Drama performance of the team led by Angamaly Amrutha.
A Maha Prasadhamoottu (Annadhanam or feeding of the Community) was inaugurated on 21st April by Shri.Vazhoor Soman MLA of Peermade constituency. After performing the various poojas for the day, a Kala Mamangam by Mathru Yuvajana Samidhi was organised in the evening.
The ninth day of the festival witnessed customary rituals following which the Karagam Jodikkal proceeded after 6.00 p.m. with Thalapoli and Muthukuda from the Thekkady Shri Devi temple to the Shri Bhadrakali Temple situated in the Upper Camp across the border in Tamil Nadu. Later the Karagam Jodikkal moved towards the Shri Durga Ganapathy Bhadhrakali Temple, Kumily after which the procession returned to the Shri Devi temple Thekkady. Following this the Karagam Jodikkal proceeded to the Thekkady Lake where the ritualistic sacrifices were performed by the devotees who then returned to the Thekkady Shri Devi Temple.
On the last day of the festival, Pongal was made by families after the Deepam was lit by Dr.M.Manikandan, consultant, ENT at Idukki Medical College. On the evening of the concluding day of the festival a procession which commenced with Fireworks display from the Thekkady Shri Devi temple with Mulapayar moved towards the Shri Bhadhrakali Temple in the Upper camp via the Kizhakkumedu road. The procession was accompanied by panchavadhyam, nadhaswaram, Chendamelam, Mulapayar, Kambu karakam, Pookarakam, Pimdikkavadi, Pookkavadi, Mayilattom, Theyyam and Gopura kavadi.
Devotees dressed as Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Murugan, Saraswathy, Bhadhrakali, Raktha katteri, with Lord Shiva’s floats returned from The Bhadra Kali Temple in Upper Camp towards the Shri Devi Temple where the Karakam and Mulapayar were disposed in the Thekkady Lake. The flag was then taken down with a Mangala Pooja. At the conclusion of the festival the Trivandrum Voice Orchestra along with Shridhu Mohan performed for the benefit of the devotees.
The festival was a huge success and was well managed by the Devasom elders with the involvement of the entire community which sincerely rejoiced and praised the Almighty.
