Panchayat/ Municipality/ Panchayat Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ Pathanamthitta Town – 5 Km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus statio Omallur Temple Bus Stop – 10 m

Nearest Railway Railway Station– 27 Km ACCESSIBILITY statio Trivandrum international Airport – 109 Km Nearest Airport

Sree Rakthak Swamy Temple Omallur Pathanamthitta -689647 Phone : +91- 468-2350237 CONTACT DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME April – May (Medam) Annual 10 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

The Rekthakanda Swamy Temple, Omallur traces its history to 8th century AD. It is a pilgrim centre on the way to Sabarimala from , the birthplace of Sree Ayyappan. The temple is famous for its annual festival of 10 days in month of Medam of Era. The festival is organized by 10 Karayogams (village communities) in and around Omallur. On the festival days there is a customary Arattu procession to the river. More than ten elephants decorated with Nettipattom (a decorated cover on the forehead) make the spectacle a unique visual treat.

National Above 25000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

The annual Aarattu festival is celebrated for ten days in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May). A customary Cultural programmes Arattu procession to the River Achenkovil is a significant Special poojas event of the festival. The shrine is traditionally decorated Cattle fair and special prayers and offerings are made during the Omallur Vanibhamela festival. Ten elephants majestically decorated with Arattu procession Nettipattom (a decorated cover on the forehead) are Elephant Parade paraded to traditional percussion music. A large number of people throng the premises of the shrine to offer prayers and seek the Lord’s blessings.