Pana Vellari Pooja 2025 | Thiruvenkidom Temple Thrissur

പാണ വെള്ളരി പൂജ തിരുവെങ്കിടോം ക്ഷേത്രം തൃശ്ശൂര്‍ | Pana Vellari Pooja 2025 | Thiruvenkidom Temple Thrissur

The Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple situated at Thiruvenkidom desom is an ancient and unique shrine in many respects. The most notes worthy point is that the deity worshipped at this temple is the same Lord Thiruvenkitachalapathy (Balaji) worshipped at the world famous Tirumala Temple in Andrapradesh.
As per astrological findings made by reputed astrologer, late Puduseri Vishnu Namboodiri, more than 1000 years ago, a sage from the Tirumala Temple came over to Guruvayur and wishing to establish a temple for his Lord Venkitachalapathi at Guruvayur where there is already a temple for Lord Sreekrishna, sat by the side of the present temple tank, prayed for and obtained permission of the Lord for such a temple at Guruvayur and then established this temple after bringing an idol from Tirupati. This astrological finding is borne out by the simple fact that the locality where this temple is situated is known as Thiruvenkidom from time immemorial. The abode of Thiruvenkitachalapathy, is naturally Thiruvenkidom. It might be the wish of the great Lord that where he is already worshipped as Sreekrishna, he should be worshipped as Venkitachalapathy also.

That must explain this extraordinary phenomenon of the three different manifestations at the same place, to perhaps make true. His declaration that "whoever worships me in which ever manner, I bless him in the same manner". There is no doubt, that in that distant past when communication and contact facilities wore totally lacking the sage could come from Tirumala and establish this temple at distant Guruvayur is entirely due to the Lord's will and blessings. This temple could very well be treated as established by the Lord himself, the sage being only an instrument in his hand.
But here also man's violent nature and maliciousness manifested. Enemies of the temple late mutilated the idol. The head and right hand of the idol were cut off and later generations didn't know whose idol it was. This continued till 1974 In 1974, some devotees arranged the devaprasna (astrological search) mentioned earlier and came to know the real nature of the deity. The devotees then went to Tirumala, arranged an idol from there, took it to all the temples in South India, finally brought to Thiruvenkidom and reinstallation was done in June 1977 in a grand ceremony by the Thanthri of the Guruvayur temple, Brahmasree Chennas Parameswaran Namboodiripad, and Periya Jeer Swami of Tirumala who is believed to be the successor of the founder sage of this temple. Thus the Lord in his divine grace manifested himself again at Thiruvenkidom.Utsavam is being celebrated every year since the reinstallation in 1977.

Pana Vellari Pooja 2025 | Thiruvenkidom Temple Thrissur

Another important festival which has origin in the past is the Vellari pooja conducted in the temple during the mandalamasam for 41 days. ie. Roughly from 15th November to 26th December. This is really the worship of divine mother but with certain Tantrik rites, dance, songs etc. But it is done with much reverence and awe. It is done in a separate hall like building in the temple compound called the Pattu Panthal. A small square platform in the middle of the hall is set apart for this ceremony.

To begin with a silk cloth known as Koora, supposed to be invested with divine power, is bought from the main shrine of the divine mother with in the temple and spread as a canopy above this platform. It will be decorated. A banana stump is fixed in the middle of platform. Pooja is done and the Poojaari and assistants dance around the platform in an ecstatic mood. Drums sounded in particular junction accompany the entire junction. Prayer song is also sung towards the end of the pooja. A notable feature of this rite is that the poojari is not a Brahmin and is a under strict vows. This rite is carried out in the evening after the night pooja On the last day an elaborate pooja, Pradakshinam around the temple with drums and ladies carrying oil lambs in their hands and certain tantric rites. This is called Cheruthalappoly. Words cannot describe these rites conveying its full spirit. It has to be witnessed.

EVENTS/PROGRAMS
• Tantrik rites
• Dance
• Songs
• Pooja
• Pradakshinam
• Cheruthalappoly