DD/ Cheque may be sent to Secretary, Arattupuzha Kshethra Upadeshaka Samithi, Arattupuzha P.O., Thrissur Dt., Kerala - 680562. Araattu (27th March 2021) SB A/c. : Dhanlaxmi Bank, Arattupuzha Branch, No. 007600100016310, It is believed that the presence of Ganga Devi sanctifies the Mandharam Kadavu IFSC : DLXB 0000076 (bathing ghat) of Arattupuzha river on that day. This event of Arattu (holy dip) in which so many deities take part is a unique ritual in Kerala. People take part in this holy dip and get spiritually rejevunated. This Assembly of Gods is organized under the aegis of the Cochin Devaswom Board. Preparations are on at the Arattupuzha temple to make this year’s Pooram a magnificent success. The paddy fields, after the “Makarakkoithu’’ (Harvest in January), have embarked on their evolution to become the Pooram ground. We, on behalf of the Temple Advisory Samithy, cordially invite you with family to witness this incomparably gala show, to be part of it and to receive the blessings of the Lord, Arattupuzha Sastha. Dear devotees, Thiruvathiravilakku Tharakkal Pooram (25th March 2021) Poorams and temple festivals are intoxicating experiences in their own way. But if you want (21st March 2021) Late Night to see an entire region hugging the Pooram close to their heart, you should indeed come to In the evening at 6pm, Lord Sastha comes Arattupuzha. Most of the people hailing from the area, staying outside Kerala or even India, usually come home during the Arattupuzha Pooram season. The event has dissolved in their very blood to Thiruvathira Vilakku is conducted within the out of the temple, accompanied by that extent. Last year's Pooram witnessed the anxiety of those who could not arrive for the annual compound walls of the temple and begins at 3 am elephants with all the paraphernalia and event and the helplessness of the organisers who could not conduct it, despite the usual, elaborate stands facing south, with a divine aura. preparations. when the star Thiruvathira rises in the sky. As the Arattupuzha Pooram is not just a celebration by itself. During the 12 days from Aswathy pageant of elephants, with their decorations Several Melam artists take part in the Purrappad to Atham Kodi Kuthu, the series of festivals that occur in 24 temples constitute this Pooram. glittering in the light of oil torches, begins as the ‘Paandimelam’. The local people have been working hard since mid-August to ensure the smooth conduct of the Lord comes out and the deity is placed atop, routine rituals, ceremonies and celebrations.The world famous Pooram, spread over entire mid- Kerala, is set rolling with fixing the flag mast at Cherppu Devi temple 28 days earlier. Last year, on different traditional varieties of drum concerts March 9th, after the flag mast was duly set up, elders of the area had announced the oncoming performs. Pooram, too, in front of the assembled devotees. The following day, the flag was hoisted at Thiruvullakkavu Temple, too. th When Covid- 19 spread severely by mid- March, the people of Arattupuzha , just like various Peruvanam Pooram (23rd March 2021) Aarattupzuha Pooram (26 March 2021) temple committee organisers, too get busy to conduct the Pooram with just the rituals, without any celebrations. But when there was a total lockdown all over India for 21 days, everything had to be At about 6.00 pm the Lord comes out of the temple to witness and receive the guests for the greatest abandoned. It is a historical fact that last year, in connection with Covid- 19, when our Honourable Peruvanam temple, the central place of worship “Devamela’’ (meet of Gods on earth). With pomp and paraphernalia Sastha comes out, rallying selected Prime Minister asked lamps to be lit up everywhere at 9 p.m, the day happened to be that of of the village, is the pivot of religious functions. big and charming elephants. The temple premises and fields where the festival takes place are filled Arattupuzha Pooram. On that day, before the Arathi , in front of Lord Shastha and outside the immediate temple precincts, 15 traditional lamps were lit up fully - a radiant sight of last year's Pooram. At the Arattupuzha Sastha being one of the chief with spectators. In front of Sastha’s pageant, the artists present their talents in ‘Pancharimelam’ whole- end of every Pooram season, connoisseurs await the ambrosia of the next! Organisers tok get busy participant in Peruvanam pooram. The Pooram of heartedly - the people forget themselves, get into a frenzy or fall into a trance and feel one with the with the background preparations. Sastha is performed the accompaniment of Lord! This year, the Pooram falls on March 26th. We all are geared up for it fully. Whether numerically or qualitatively, these Poorams and Melams provide distinct visual splendour to the eyes and a feast caparisoned elephants and Paandimelam. Which to the ears. Now let us wait to lose ourselves totally in the extravaganza! We affirm once again that is called the ‘Erakkapaandi,’ which comes out of Kootti Ezhunnellippu the liberal and unlimited help and co- operation of all the devotees and connoisseurs, including the the rhythmic playing of musical instruments by It is believed that, in the presence of all gods rural folks, make the Pooram a memorable event. We humbly request all devotees to receive the blessings of the ever compassionate Arattupuzha Shastha ! eminent artists that invigorates the audience to and goddesses, Lord Vishnu (Thriprayar enjoy the devine rhythm of Melam. Thevar) flanked by Bhoomidevi (Goddess For the Temple Advisory Committee Mother Earth)- Cherpu Bhagavathy) - and Madhu Mangalath Adv. Sujesh K. P.U. Nandakumar Lakshmi Devi (Goddess of prosperity, President Secretary Devaswom Officer Urakathamma) reaches the Arattupuzha Pooram fields to bless the land and devotees. One can see hundreds of devotees circum- ambulating the pageant and chanting Lord’s names, with great veneration and sense of thankfulness.