Uthralikkavu - of poorams and velas

Uthralikkavu, situated in the halcyon pastures of Enkakad desham(aka 'place'), is famous for poorams and velas. There is a story told by the elders about the temples in Enkakad. According to them, the name Enkakad derived from the word Thinkalkadu(The hair of siva aka thirujada in which moon resides). Veeranimangalam temple at the heart of Enkakad Village is known to the local people as Siva Temple. Lord Siva begged rice from the hill nearby called Uriyarikunnu (Uriyari—About 150 ml of rice) with the rice so received, he prepared his dinner at a nearby place. This place was called Vechanad, which later became Machad. Lord Siva gave places to the two goddesses (Bhagavathis) in this area, one at the north east i.e., Akamala for Rudrakali (Rudhiramahakali or Uthrali as known now) and the other at south i.e., Machad for Thiruvaani (Vaani means voice, speech, music etc.) It is also believed by the local people that Thiruvaanikavu Bhagavathy is elder sister of Uthralikkavilamma. Accordingly, on the night of the day on which Thiruvanikkavu Vela/ Pooram (better known as Machad Mamankam or Kuthiravela) takes place, (Tuesday that comes after the first Friday of malayalam month, Kumbham) the Parapurapad (visit to housed to accept nirapara) of Uthralikavu Bhagavathy starts. The Uthralikkavu Pooram is celebrated on the 8th day from the date of parapurapad.

According to the legends, Kelathachan was a local chieften in Talappill Taluk of Trichur District, like the Paliathachan of Trichur Taluk. Kelathachan had his mansion in the bosom of Akamala, an evergreen forest famous for its flora and fauna. The green stretch of paddy fields owned by him on the western valley of these forests were rich in yields. During his visits to these fields Kelathachan used to keep a palmleafed umbrella (Olakuda). It was believed that Goddess Mookambika used to rest on his umbrella. Once when kept his umbrella on the ridges of the paddy field, bhagavathy got out of the umbrella and sat on the ridges. This place is known as the Sreemoolasthanam. A ‘Poovam’ tree was planted behind this place, to protect Devi from sun and rain.

After a long time once a harijan lady had a strange experience. While sharpening her sickle on a stone a little away from Sreemoolasthanam, she saw blood dripping from the stone and was frightened and therefore screamed aloud. Male workers who heard the sound, came to the scene to witness the strange incident. They reported the matter to Kelathachan. As was the practice, he consulted the Astrologer. According to the astrologer, bhagavathy liked to have a permanent abode there to accept the offerings and worship of her devotees. Therefore, an open roofed temple was built there and Bhagavathy was consecrated in it with all relevant rituals. A tamil Brahmin was appointed there as priest. The day on which the consecration ceremony was conducted, was decided to be the Vela/pooram day.

Uthralikavu pooram - In olden days it was Uthralikavu Vela. Now it is called pooram. The change from vela to pooram was gradual. Seven days in advance of the Pooram day, the flag hoisting ceremony takes place. Bhagavathy come out of the kavu (temple) and goes around the nearby villages to bless her devotees at their residence and to accept their offerings, in the form of Nirapara (Para is an old measurement of grains in Kerala). The materials offered should have minimum one para of paddy, supported by flowers, rice, raw rice, fried paddy, jaggery, turmeric, fruits etc. The Komaram who visits the homes(Velichapadu being the representative of Bhagavathy) gives oracles, in a faith-evoking atmosphere created by Chenda (trumpet), Ilathalam (Symbals) and Kombu (musical horn). The first para in this weeklong tour of Bhagavathy is expected to be given by the member of the family of Kelathachan. Both the temple (Uthralikavu as it is called by the public) and the Sreemoolasthanam (Akamala Mullakkal Alinchuvadu) are situated in Enkakad Village. Therefore, the villagers of Enkakad have got the right to conduct the pooram first, on the pooram day.

Uthralikavu Pooram/ Vela is a festival of Villagers, after the harvesting season presenting various rural art forms like pootham, thira, nayadi, kummatti, kalakali etc. These art forms require special attention of the social workers, for their maintenance and upkeep.
Uthralikavu pooram is conducted with the active participation of the three villagers in Wadakanchery Panchayat, viz. Enkakad, Kumaranellur, Wadakanchery. They vie with each other in presenting leading elephants, percussionists and pyro techniques.