#KeralaRituals - Ezhunnallatu = Religious procession conducted during Temple festivals - TravellerG

[TravellerG]

Photo #1; Caption: Cover Photo 

Kerala (India), the “Good’s Own Country”, has many interesting rituals, customs and festivals - ‘Ezhunnallatu’ is one of them. 

“Ezhunnallathu” = A spiritual procession (a group of devotees walking, escorting a deity) conducted in Kerala, usually by Hindus (some Christians also celebrate in this style). There are different types of Ezhunnallathu and the prestigious ones will be accompanied by elephant/s. Here I'm explaining an Ezhunnallathu with a single elephant.

Photo #2; Caption: The close-up of the Thidambu.

All Hindu temples will have one or more deities; these deities are not taken out of the sanctum. A “Thidambu”, representing the deity, is used for the processions. In this post, we will discuss the ‘Ezhunnallathu’ during the Pooram of “Kurur Kunnu Bhagavathy Temple” (Here) (Palakkad, Kerala). I have travelled from Bangalore to cover this event.

Photo #3; Caption: The priest performing the pooja.

After the daily morning rituals inside the temple, the Thidambu is taken out and the priest does the pooja. Tidambu is made of wood and is covered with red/black cloth which is highly embroidered in the front.

 In the presence of the deity, there will be a “Chenda Melam” (a group performance by drummers and other artists). Chenda is a traditional and most popular percussion instrument (which produces thunderous beats) from Kerala - will have a separate post, later.

Photo #4; Caption: One out of the three 'Chenda Melams' during this festival.

Here is a short video of the elephant enjoying the "Chenda Melam" with the Thidambu on the elephant.   

Usually, the Melam will last for almost an hour which will be witnessed by many people from this area. After the melam, all the artists and supporters are invited for the “Sadya” (feast in Banana leaf).

Photo #5; Caption: The artists and supporters having Sadya.

After the meals and a little rest, the Thidambu is carried to the elephant; on the elephant, the Thidambu will be escorted by “Alakkitta Kuda” (embroidered umbrella), “Alavattom” (a decorative circular shield), “Venchamaram” (a fan of soft bristles). Four people will be on the elephant, including the person who carries the Thidambu.

Photo #6; Caption: The Thidambu seated on the elephant.

Photo #7; Caption: The elephant carrying the Thidambu, Alakkitta Kuda, Venchamaram and Alavattom.

The actual procession starts here and ends in another bigger temple - a group of people (devotees) will lead the procession and the drum artists, the elepht/s, etc will accompany them. While the procession proceeds on the road, the devotees will submit their ‘Offerings’ (“Kaanikka”), mostly in the form of “Nirapara” (a vessel containing rice grains with coconut flowers in the centre); the festival team will collect these rice grains.

Photo #8; Caption: The Nirapara, after the ritual - the coconut flowers (which were placed on the centre of the vessel) are removed once the ritual is over.

“Velichappadu Thullal” is another event during the Ezhunnallathu which we shall explain in another post; Velichappadu, inspired by the deity gives prophetic predictions to devotees.

A brief firework indicates that the “Kaanikka” (‘Offering’) session is over and the procession continues to the next devotee's house; finally, the “Ezhunnallatu” (procession) ends at the bigger temple. Though the procession starts at around 3 pm, it reaches the final destination by 10 pm or so. 

Photo #9; Caption: The different decorative items used for this ritual; the larger items are the elephant caparisons used to decorate the forehead of the elephant. (This shot has the items for three elephants).

Hope you all will give your feedback - thanks in advance.

Invite all LGs who have any photos connected with Kerala Rituals or Festivals to share it for the benefit of our readers.

Thanks, once again

[mohanghyar]

@TravellerG 

The south India traditional area and lots of traditions in India.

thank to share with us.

[Nithya12]

1. Dear @TravellerG  1st time  hearing about this festival, well written in details,photos really beautiful too. 💜🌸

[TravellerG]

Your quick response is your love and dedication and thank you very much for the same, my dear @mohanghyar 

Your feedback & support are very valuable to me.

Regards

[JMD9]

@TravellerG this is really a great post thanks for sharing with us.

[TravellerG]

Very happy that you found the post informative and helpful; Thank you for your quick response and valuable support, dear @Nithya12. I specially appreciate your dedication.

 Your continued support is extremely helpful to me.

Regards,

🙏

[TravellerG]

So much grateful to you, my very dear Prakash Ji, @JMD9 

Seeing your response after a long time - so much excited, because your feedback is very valuable to me. 

Thank you very much for your kind response & support.

[SushantShukla]

Amazing love it

[Raj_Tayade]

@TravellerG sir, Very nice post nice explanation of everything, presentation of photos is very beautiful and caption is perfect. What to say about your writing, the wording is fabulous.Thank for sharing us 

Is this festival held every year?

Generally in which month?

[TravellerG]

Thank you so much for quickly reading and finding time to respond,  my dear @Raj_Tayade,

This is one of the rituals during a festival or Pooram; there are many temples and festivals which will have Ezhunnallatu as a ritual - except some two months or so, there will be different festivals in Kerala - the most famous is Thrissur Pooram - one of the largest crowd in Asia!!!.

There are different types of Ezhunnallathu and a couple of them, we will see in detail in another post.