Panchayath/ Municipality/ Thalassery Corporation LOCATION District Kannur Nearest Town/ Thalassery Landmark/ Junction Nearest Bus statio Manjodin stop Nearest Railway Thalassery Railway Station– 2km statio ACCESSIBILITY Nearest Airport Calicut airport- 95km Thalassery - Manjodi Bridge, Thalassery- Kodiyeri Rd, Thiruvangad, Illathaazha, Thalassery, Kerala 670103 CONTACT Contact Number: 0490 232 2599 DATES FREQUENCY DURATION TIME April (Medam) Annual 7 days ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth) Thiruvangad Sree Ramaswamy Temple is believed to be the oldest among the four main temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Rama (other three being Thriprayaar, Kadalur and Thiruvilwamala). The belief (sankalpa) is that, in this temple, Sree Rama is in a gentle mood, being relieved after the fierce battle which led to the death of Khara, Thrishiras and Dooshana, as described in Ramayana. Another pointer to the calm and benevolent nature (bhaava) of the deity is the fact that the mace is held upside down denoting that the battle is over. According to legendary story this shrine was consecrated by a Rishi by name Swetha Muni. The legend is that Agasthya MunI on his way to Kaveri River for offering his customary ablutions was once confronted by two demons namely Neelan and Swethan. The Muni cursed them. On request for penance, they were advised to perform Tapas at two Siva Temples. They were later known as Neelarshi and Swetharshi. The places where Neelarshi and Swetharshi performed their Tapas came to be known as Neeleswaram and Swetharanyapuram respectively. The latter was a dense forest at that time. Vishu Mahotsavam which lasts for seven days is the main festival celebrated here in the Malayalam month of Medam. Local Approximately 10000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated) Flag-hoisting The most important festival is the Vishu Mahotsavam which Ezhunallath commences on Vishu starts on the day of Meta Samkramam Panchavadyam (last day of Malayalam month of Meenam) with the hoisting Pandimelam of the ceremonial flag on Dhwaja Stambha. It lasts for seven Mothiram vachu thozhal days with the daily elephant processions, special poojas and Pallivetta various programs culminating on arattu or bathing the deity, Aarattu on the last day in the temple tank. Kathakali, Chakyar Traditonal dance Koothu, are performed on all days in addition to the temple Cultural programmes rituals. On festival days, every evening, a ceremonial idol of Sri Rama (Perumaal) is taken on elephant back in a procession (Ezhunnallethu) around the temple in royal regalia and splendor along with flag-bearers, decorated silk umbrellas, and infantry soldiers with bows, arrows, swords and shields to the accompaniment of Panchavadyam and Pandimelam. After the ezhunnallethu, the idol is kept in the Kazhakappura in the northeast part of the chuttambalam, where on the last two days of the festival, a special ceremony called Mothiram-Vechu-Thozhal is held. This involves devotees placing a gold ring on a piece of banana leaf in front of the idol and praying for favors. This is reminiscent of Hanuman presenting Seetha’s Anguleeyam to Sri Rama. Performing this pooja is said to be very auspicious. On the sixth night of the festival, Pallivetta (ceremonial royal hunt) is held at Perumporkkalam (Perumkalam) to the east of the temple. This is indeed the place where Tipu Sultan had camped while attacking the temple. Aaratt (ritual immersion of the idol of the deity) is held at the temple tank. Chaakyaar- Kooth is held daily. Kathakali and Ottamthullal are also staged during the festival. Also other cultural prohrames like dance, music, drama etc are staged on these days. .