Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Pallivetta conducted, Arattu today

Staff Reporter

Marthanda Varma to escort dieties to the Sanghumughom beach

AGE-OLD RITUAL: Head of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma conducting the Pallivetta as part of the Painkuni festival at Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. - Photo: S. Mahinsha

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Maintaining a centuries-old tradition, the Pallivetta ceremony that marks the penultimate day of the Painkuni festival at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple, was observed here on Tuesday evening.

Head of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma escorted the idols of the three deities from the temple to the `Vettakalam' near the Sundaravilasam Palace where more than 200 years back, an unsuccessful bid was made on the life of the then ruler of the province. At the `Vettakalam,' he fired an arrow into the thicket in a symbolic representation of killing the destructive demon.

Mr. Marthanda Varma who was discharged from hospital only a few days back, made the short trip from the temple gate to the `Vettakalam' in a car. The idols were accompanied by the representatives of Kshatriya clans, the officers of the temple, the cavalry and the police. Traffic was rerouted from the Sreekanteswaram park and the western entrance of the temple. A large number of people turned out to witness the grand ritual.

Important ritual

Steeped in history, the Pallivetta is an important ritual in the annual Painkuni festival which commences with the kodiyettu and the installation of the massive fibreglass figures of the Pandavas at the eastern entrance to the temple. The idols of the Pandavas are believed to be put up to propitiate Indra, the Rain God.

During the 10-day festival, the idols of Sree Padmanabha are taken out as a procession in six different vehicles, the Simhasana vahana, Anantha vahana, Kamala vahana, Pallaku vahana, Garuda vahana and Indra vahana.

Procession

On Wednesday, Mr. Marthanda Varma will escort the three deities in a procession to the Sanghumughom beach for ritual immersion in the sea as a purification act. The procession will be accompanied by caparisoned elephants, bands, mounted police and police contingents.

After the procession returns from the beach, Deeparadhana is performed in the temple. The festival concludes with the lowering of the ceremonial flag.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

UDF, LDF focus campaign on development activities
Neck-and-neck poll battle on the cards
Work begins on 25 Vazhiyoram centres
Sleep disorders on the rise
Pallivetta conducted, Arattu today
Asianet's Vishu fare
A unique murder thriller
Blast during festival: youth held
Afloat on the ocean of life
For communal harmony
Bearing the brunt
Around The City
In Thiruvananthapuram Today
Reporter's Diary

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu