Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla – Festivals

Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla – Festivals

There are two main festivals- Thiru Uthsavam and Uthra Sreebali. In Sreevallabha Temple Uthsavam is conducted giving importance to Aarrattu (holy bath) and is for ten days ending with Pushya nakshatra of Kumbham (February-march) of Malayalam calendar. Its customs and procedures are much complicated and start with Kodiyettu or raising the festival flag on the flagstaff. Two days before Kodiyettu, temple sanctifying procedures are performed. Then on the Kodiyettu day, the holy flag is raised. Special poojas are done every day along with sreebhoothabali (sacrificing food to all crew of the deity) in the noon.

On the seventh day night, pallivetta (custom done on the belief that the Lord hunts away all evil spirits) and tenth day the holy bath or Aarrattu. It is done at the river near Thukalassery and the deities of Sreevallabha and Sudarshana moorthy are taken back to the temple after Deepa Aaradhana at Thukalassery Mahadeva Temple, accompanied by large and colourful procession and the temple is closed. Kathakali had become the greatest offering to Sreevallabha. The devotees of Sreevallabha used to offer Kathakali to him. This is the only temple in India where maximum number of Kathakali are being performed every year.

Uthra Sreebali, the biggest festival of the temple, is conducted in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March–April). This is the festival of three Goddesses who had been asked by Sreevallabha to protect Thiruvalla and it is conducted when they come to the Sreevallabha Temple to meet both the Lords. These goddesses are from the temples Aalumthuruthy, Padappattu and Karunaattu Kavu where temple festival starts on the same day in the month of Meenam. Before their holy bath on the eighth day the three Goddesses proceed to Sreevallabha Temple where its northern gate is opened only at that time for them.

The Goddesses enter the temple through the northern gate and are welcomed by playing 18 groups of instruments and are directed towards the balikkalpura where the two Lords will be waiting to receive them. Then Ashtapadi is played and Sreebali is done. This is followed by Jeevatha dancing of the Goddesses in the middle of many lamps. Then the Goddesses proceed for their holy bath and the Goddess of Aalumthuruthy temple returns Sreevallabha Temple by next day noon Sreebali when Lord Sreevallabha gives her Vishu kaineettam. As the Sreebali ends, the Programme gets over and the deities are taken back to respective temples. Taking part in the whole Uthra Sreebali is said to wash away sins of all births as all Vedic and puranic deities are taking part in it.

One of the most important festivals of the town, Ekadasi Festival is celebrated on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. The Vrischika Ekadasi has a special importance in the town. A highlight of this festival is the commemorative plaque for Gajarajan Kesavan. Other major festivals as per Malayalam Calendar are on Thiruvonam of Chingam month, Thirunaal (Chitra nakshatra) in Thulam month, Thirunaal Chirappu (Chitra nakshatra) in Vrischika month, Arudra of Dhanu month, Sreebali during Makara Sankrama, Vishu in the month of Medam and Nira Puthari during Karkidakam. Every Saturday morning, there is a special pooja at this Divya Desam similar to the one at Thiruvan Parisaram.