The Hindu : Thousands take part in `Pettathullal'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 12, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Thousands take part in `Pettathullal'

The Ambalappuzha team offering the ceremonial `Pettathullal' at Erumeli on Sunday.

KOTTAYAM, JAN. 11. Swinging to the rhythm of primordial drums and chanting slogans in praise of the Lord, thousands of Ayyappa devotees today danced their way down the path which generations of their ancestors had tread, in a celebration of oneness at the annual ``Pettathullal'' at Erumeli.

Thousands of pilgrims, mainly from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, had thronged the village square between the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple (Kochambalam) and the Vavar Palli (Nainaar Mosque) to participate in the ceremonial `thullal' by the Ambalappuzha and Alangad teams.

The Amabalappuzha team which represents the Sree Krishna Temple there, also symbolises the maternal lineage of Lord Ayyappa while the Alangad team, identifies themselves with the Siva Temple and represents the paternal side, making the occasion a celebration of oneness of the Vaishnava and Saiva traditions.

The 300-strong Ambalappuzha team, led by their `samooha periyon' Kalathil Chandrasekhara Pillai, arrived on Saturday and was camping at the special camp-shed provided to them at the Valiambalam. More than 500 members from their village joined them today, before the ceremonial `thullal' began. Traditionally, they begin the `thullal' after sighting the `Krishna Parunthu' which is believed to come all the way from Ambalapuzha carrying the blessings of the deity at the Sree Krishna Temple.

On Sunday, though the team had move to the Kochambalam by 11 o'clock, the sighting of the kite did not materialise till 12-40 building up an aura of suspense. The moment the kite was sighted, thousands of devotees exploded into frenzied dancing to the accompaniment of the ancient Dravidian drums and chanting slogans in devotion to Ayyappa. From the Kochambalam they danced their way to the Vavar Palli to pay homage to Vavar, the trusted Muslim lieutenant of Lord Ayyappa in his fight against the evils of Mahishasur, the demon king who disturbed the sages of the land. In a celebration of oneness, the `thidambu' from the temple was carried on an elephant to the Mosque to be received by the administrator, C.P. Abdul Azeez, and his team.

After paying respect to his aide, the devotees of Ayyappa, led by their Periyon holding the `thidambu' and accompanied by the elders of the Muslim community, moved to the Valiambalam where they were received by the Devaswom Deputy Commissioner, A.C. Godavarma, and others. They then moved to Pamba through the traditional route via Azhutha. The `thullal' by the Alangad team commenced by 4 p.m. after the sighting of the star in the skies. The team of more than 700 Ayyappa devotees was led by Thankappa Menon, who led them last year also. The Alangad team did not enter the Vavar Palli as, traditionally it is believed that Vavar too had accompanied the Amabalappuzha team to meet his master.

The teams would reach Pamba on Tuesday to participate in the `Pamba Sadya' and the `Pamba Vilakku' celebrations and would return after participating in the Makaravilakku festival.

The Devaswom Minister, G. Karthikeyan, personally reviewed the arrangements for the `Pettathullal'.

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