Panchayat/ Municipality/ Kayamkulam Municipality Corporation

LOCATION District Alappuzha

Nearest Town/ Kayamkulam Police station – 600 m Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus Station Kayamkulam Bus Transit Stop - 800 m

Nearest Railway Kayamkulam Railway Station –1.5 Km Station ACCESSIBILITY Nearest Airport Trivandrum International Airport –108Km

Sree Temple, Sv Ward, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha- 690502 Phone: +91-479 2446172 CONTACT Mobile: +919495149244(Radhakrishna Pai-Trustee) DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME April/May (Medam)10 Days Annual 10 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth) Sree is one of the important and ancient temples in Kayamkulam. Locally known as ‘konkani’ temple’, it is located near Kayamkulam market. The main in this temple is Sree Vittala or Vithoba. This temple is associated with the Gowda Saraswatha Brahmin(GSB) community in Kayamkulam region. This temple is believed to be constructed in early 18th century with the help of the King of Kayamkulam. This is one of the major temples of GSB community in Kerala and is one among the rare temples of Vithoba. The temple complex comprises the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) and inner temple, flag post (dwajam), temple pond, chariot location, Lord Siva shrine, Naga shine and Vithobaji and althara. The specialty of the temple is its Chariot and the Ratholsavam (pulling of the chariot around the temple) during the festival time. Vrischikothsavam and Chaithrolsavam are the two major festival celebrated in this temple.

Local Approx. 15000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated) Chaithrolsavam is a major festival observed in this temple which falls in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam Flag Hoisting (November/December). There is a flag hoisting ceremony Annadanam marking the beginning of the festival. The shrine is Bhajans traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, Cultural Programs flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. There are Traditional Performing special poojas and offerings during the festival period. arts Traditional performing arts and music and dance are staged Spiritual discourses during the festival period. Thousands of devotees throng to Percussion Music witness the events and rituals. Numerous cultural programs Musical Concerts and temple arts are be performed on all days of the festival. Dance Famous radholsavam or chariot festival takes place on the Kadhakali 9th day of the festival. Beautifully decorated Chariot pulled Radholsavam(Chariot around the temple, thousands of devotees will be there to be procession) the part of that event. On the final day Arattu(holy bath) Arattu takes place where the utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing. Instead of elephant, palanquin is used for arattu ceremony.