Rama Temple, Thriprayar – Festivals

Rama Temple, Thriprayar – Festivals

Triprayar Ekadashi:

The Krishna Paksha Ekadashi in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (Nov-Dec) is known as Triprayar Ekadashi is the most important festival in the temple. The day preceding Ekadashi witnesses a procession of Sashta, while the Ekadasi festival is marked by a procession of Rama flanked by 21 elephants and royal paraphernalia. The local theatre group performs a musical form of art known as Angya Koottu in this temple. They enact the episodes from Ramayana like Hanuman meeting with Sita in Lanka and bringing the news about Sita at Lanka to Rama.

Sethubandhanam:

This temple observes Sethubandhanam every year in Thiruvonam day during the Malayalam month of Kanni (Sep-Oct). It is the only place in earth where this tradition exists. Sethubandhanam is done in the Sree Raman Chira at Chemmappilly, Thrissur. Chemmappilly is located at about 2 Kms away from the temple. Pilgrimage to Triprayar temple is said to be complete only with a worship of Sethubandhanam.

Prathishta Dinam:

The prathishta dinam (annual consecration day of the presiding deity) is observed on the Atham Nakshatram in Edavam month (May-Jun) as per traditional Malayalam calendar in Kerala.

Onam Festival:

Onam festival is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sep). A snake boat race is held here during this festival.

Pooram Festival:

Pooram festival is celebrated for seven days during the Malayalam month of Meenam (Mar-Apr). This festival concludes in the Pooram asterism (just one day ahead of Panguni Uthiram in Tamilnadu).

Arattupuzha Pooram:

Triprayar Thevar has the prime position in the famous Arattupuzha Pooram in Malayalam month of Meenam (Mar-Apr). During the Arattupuzha Pooram, 21 elephants dressed in their royal paraphernalia lead the procession. Only the deity of Triprayar Rama Temple and Kolam are permitted to be carried by elephant.

Meen Oottu:

Meen Oottu is an interesting ritual carried out in this temple. Devotees feed the fishes in the Purayar River that flows in front of the temple. Fishes throng the banks to eat the grains of rice thrown by the devotees, who consider it a great blessing to be splashed by water from the fish. Majority of patients suffering from Asthma get relieved from their problems when they offer Meen Oottu.