Panchayath/ Municipality/ Olarikkara Panchayat Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ Olarikkara – 2 km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus statio Pullazhi Aal Bus Stop – 1.7 km

Nearest Railway – 3.6 km statio ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport – 54.7 km

President / Secretary, Olarikkara Devaswam, Olarikkara – P.O. Pullazahi, Thrichur- 680012, , . Ph No: +91 487 2360480 Email: [email protected] CONTACT Website: www.olarikkaradevaswom.com DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME December - January Annually 3 days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth) Hundreds of years ago there was a Sacred Brahmin’s house where the temple is situated now. At the Nadumuttom of the house, it is believed that there was the presence of Goddess Vanadurga and this goddess was worshipped by the Brahmin with full faith. At that time the Brahmin was titled with surname OLA by the rulers. Hence the location of the temple was renowned as OLA IRIKKUM KARA which is later renown as OLARIKKARA. Later the temple was re-onstructed by the devotees of the Olarikkara Thattakam. Four Desoms come under Olarikkara Thattakam.These are Ayanthole, Olarikkara, Pullazhy and Puthurkkara. They considered the Goddess as their THATTAKATHAMMA – The mother of four desoms.

There is a mystic myth about the Kandankkavu, which is situated to the East of the temple. Sree kandan was a dangerous manthrika from the Umma Pilly Nair Tharavadu in Chetupuzha. Due to misusing the manthras for devil’s spirit he died prematurely. His soul created plenty of problems to Umma Pilly Tharavadu. Unable to bear the problems created by the soul of Sree kandan the family surrendered in Devi’s feet seeking shelter. Subsequently the evil spirit of Sree kandan was controlled by Temple Velichappadu by absorbing his soul in a mudpot and buried him in the backyard of the temple. Ultimately Sree kandan became the devi’s devotee and blessed with the title Vettothikkaran. Whenever the devotees worship Sree Bhagavathy and make offering, they offer an oil lamp to Sree kandan. The main offering of Kandankkavu is kalasam.

Local Approximately 1000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Kandankavu Vela is the first days Festival. Kandankavu Vela starts with HarinamaKeerthanam and Udayasthamana Kandankavu Vela Pooja. Then there is the procession of the diety. This will be

followed by Niramala, Chuttuvilakku, Chandanam Charthu Kshethra palakante Vela and Deeparadhana. The second day’s festival is Kshethra

palakante Vela. It starts with Palliunarth, Thalapoli HarinamaKeerthanam and Udayasthamana Pooja. Then

there is the procession of the diety around the temple. This

will be followed by Niramala, Chuttuvilakku, Chandanam

Charthu and Deeparadhana. The next event is Nirmalya

Darshanam followed by Ennayattal, Ushapooja, Navakam,

Panchagavyam and Nadopasana. Anayoottu is an

important event in the second days festival. Anachamaya

Pradarshanam is the exhibition of ornaments and tems used

by the elephant for the procession in the third day’s festival.

Ezhunellip, Panchavadyam, Kudamattom, Keli,

Thayambaka are the main events in Thalapoli, the third day’s festival. The festival come to an end by Kalasam.