Deepa Mahotsavam 2025 | Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple Kottayam

തൃക്കോടിതാനം മഹാവിഷ്ണു ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ വാർഷിക 5 ദിവസത്തെ ഉത്സവം, വൃശ്ചികം മാസത്തിൽ (നവംബർ-ഡിസംബർ) നടത്തപ്പെടും.

തൃക്കാർത്തിക ഉത്സവം കുമരനല്ലൂർ ദേവി ക്ഷേത്രം കോട്ടയം | Deepa Mahotsavam 2025 Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple Kottayam

The Deepa Mahotsavam is a unique festival at the Mahavishnu Temple also known as Adbutha Narayana Temple. The shrine, dedicated to Lord Vishnu is one among the five Pancha-Pandava temples in Kerala. Legend has it that as Sahadeva (one of the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata fame) was returning triumphantly after the great war, he learned about Madri's (Sahadeva's mother) death. Deepa Mahotsavam Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple Kottayam Kerala Overwhelmed with grief, when he tries to jump into her funeral pyre, well wishers stop and console him. The festival gets its name from the ritualistic piling of hundreds of Sarakudoms, one on top of the other, lighted to represent the myth. The myth is enacted during the festival and the burnt remains of Sarakudoms are served as Prasadam. The main idol in the temple is believed to have been be worshipped by Sahadeva.

Deepa Mahotsavam commences in the Malayalam month of Vrichikam, (Thiruvonam star) with the hoisting of flags on the eastern and western sides of the Sreekovil. Unique functions start from the fifth day onwards with processions of Moola Vigraha accompanied by elephants. Seva is another ritual performed inside the temple. On the final day, the processions goes out of the temple. The festival gets its name from the ritual of piling hundreds of Sarakudoms. The pile of dried plaintain leaves are torched and the myth associated with the temple is enacted. Aarattu is the final stage of the festival and is performed at the sacred pond. The rituals after the Aarattu are performed at the permanent Aarrattu Mandapam outside the temple. The Aarattu procession is not accompanied by elephants.