Machad Thiruvannikkavu temple is famous for its unique colourful festival 'Machad Mamankam' & 'Para'. Machad Thiruvannikkavu temple is situated in the heart of Machad - a group of villages enriched with evergreen mountains, mellifluent rivers, abundant paddy fields etc. at Thekkumkara 20kms away from Thrissur and 5kms away from Wadakanchery in Trichur district.
Thousands of devotees visit the temple to get the blessings of 'Thiruvannikkavilamma' during the festival season. The Temple which was under the control and ownership of "Avannaparambu Mana" once is now under the control of Cochin Dewaswam Board.
As per the myths, it is heard that some 800 years ago, one ardent devotee, a Nair from Kongad, went to kodungallur to worship Goddess Kali. After the prayer and bhajan, when he returned, the Goddess accompanied him on the top of his palm-umbrella (olakkuda). On his way to home, in the evening, he reached Machad. He wanted to take rest and stay there for that night. He saw light from a house at a distant place. A Harijan helped him to reach that house. It was Pallissery tharavadu. He put his Olakkuda there and stayed there for that night.
Next day, early in the morning, when he was ready to leave, to his surprise, he could not able to lift his olakkuda . Suddenly it is heard from the space that the Goddess wished to settle there.
A 'devaprasnam' was arranged and as per the findings a temple was built and the Goddess 'Durga' had been installed in the Sreekovil and the goddess, then onwards, called as 'Thiruvannikkavilamma' . As the way to the house was shown by an Harijan, during the festival days, which starts with Parapurappadu ,the first Para to be taken is that of a Harijan. The tradition is still continuing after centuries and centuries.
Next day, early in the morning, when he was ready to leave, to his surprise, he could not able to lift his olakkuda . Suddenly it is heard from the space that the Goddess wished to settle there.
A 'devaprasnam' was arranged and as per the findings a temple was built and the Goddess 'Durga' had been installed in the Sreekovil and the goddess, then onwards, called as 'Thiruvannikkavilamma' . As the way to the house was shown by an Harijan, during the festival days, which starts with Parapurappadu ,the first Para to be taken is that of a Harijan. The tradition is still continuing after centuries and centuries.
'Kshethrapalakan' The God to guard the Temple and 'God Naga' are the sub-deities of the Temple. One of the earlier late Velichapadu 'Kandaman' has also been accommodated in the premises.
The festival in conducted by three partener dhesams; Thekkumkara, Punnamparambu and Panangattukara in rotation. There are also four other participant desams; Mangalam, Karumathra, Viruppakka and Manalithara. Each participant desam comes to the temple to attend the pooram with their Poikkuthiras (folk horses) carried by the youth of that desam.
The Pooram at Thiruvannikkavu temple begin in the afternoon at around 2.30 pm. with the Manalithara Desam's Pooram Purappaddu with Kumbhakudam, one of the most important and spectacular events of the Mamankam, from Veerolippadam reaches the temple. Once it reaches the temple, the famous Panchavadhyam will start, followed by the famous Chenda Melam (traditional percussion music); followed by the most awaited spectacular unique Kuthirakali at 5.30 pm.
Thousands of devotees from various places gather at the temple. In the evening as well as in early morning of the following day, spectacular fireworks are arranged to bring joy to minds of the youth. Harijan Vela is another attracton of the Machad Mamnkam which will occur after the Kuthirakali in the Evening as well as in the night.
The festival Machad Mamnkam begin with the 'Parapurappad' which is on the first Friday of the Month Kumbham ( February) and the festival on the next Tuesday in each year.The first 'Para' to be taken is that of an Harijan and the last 'Para' is that of a Brahmin. Similarly the representative of the Goddess for receiving the most important offering 'Para ', and blessing the devotees is the' Elayath' instead of the 'Velichappadu' and Elayath is being taken on the shoulders of some youths known as 'Eduppanmar' and the pilgrimage of this is accompanied by 'Combu and Kuzhal'(Some traditional musical instruments) only and not by drums as in other Temples. The Koothu - showing the story of Ramayanam through leather puppets - is conducted for 7 days from the next day of completion of the festival.
It is fantastic.I really wanted to witness the vela. Such knowledge about the temple is always worth note. I heartly thankful to the person who posted these details.
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