Thattayil Orippurathu Bhagavathy Kshetram

Orippurathu Bhagavathy Kshetram (Malayalam: ഒരിപ്പുറത്തു ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം) is an ancient Hindu temple in Thattayil, Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. The Devi (goddess) is the main deity.

Around seven km from Pandalam, the birth place of Lord Ayyappan, this temple (kshetram in Malayalam) also has the deities of Lord Ayyappan, Lord Krishna, Yakshi, Madaswami and Nagarajavu among others. A popular folklore states that Orippurathu Bhagavathy is the sister of Ezhankulam Bhagavathy.

Festivals and celebrations

Meena Bharani, the main festival of this temple, is the birthday of the Bhagavathy and falls in the Malayalam month of Meenam (around March–April). The festival lasts five days of the Meenam month with Bharani marking the beginning and Thiruvathira the end.

• On Bharani the natives of all seven Karas carry out the famous “Kettukaazhuchha” processions consisting of the colorful Theru and Kaala (bull motif) in the temple grounds. All the Karas engage in a healthy festive spirit to compete against each other to win the award for the best Theru. The Theru and Kaala’s take turn to circle the Khetram. Devotees from all walks of life in and around Pathanamthitta throng the temple to seek Orippurathu Bhagavathy’s blessings and to witness the famous and one-of-a-kind colorful Kettukaazhuchha. During evening, devotees attend the art forms of Kathakali, Ottamthullal, Velakali arranged by the temple committee.
• Karthika, the second day of the festival, is famous for its Thookkam ritual. The day starts with Garudan Thookkam and continues with Nercha Thookkam.
• On Thiruvathira, the final day of the festival, devotees carry out procession with lighted lamps (Thalapoli and Chamaya vilakku) and Aapindi in the temple grounds. Karimarinnu Prayogam (firecrackers on a large scale) marks the end of the five-day festival.

On all the festive days, the temple ground hosts a large number of variety stalls to keep the visitors engaged.

Parakkezhunnallathu starts two months before Meena Bharani; the Bhagawathy visits the household of the devotees in all the Karas of Thatta. Devotees welcome the Bhagawathy and offer Nelpara, Aripara and Anpoli (an offering of rice, banana, paddy, beaten rice and puffed rice). On each day, at the end of Parakkezhunnallippu, devotees of the households whom the Bhagawathy visits, carry out a colorful procession as the Bhagawathy returns to the Kshetram.

Saptaham (chanting of the Bhagawatham over seven days) in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam and Navarathri Maholsavam are the other festivals celebrated in the Kshetram.

The temple is a popular choice for conducting auspicious occasions including marriages, Choroonu (feeding grain to the babies for the first time), Ezhuthinnu irippu (introducing letters of Malayalam language to children for the first time where they write “Hari Shree Ganapataaye Namaha” in bowls filled with rice). The temple has a Kalyana mandapam (marriage hall), an auditorium and two Sadyalayams.

The Kshetram was recently renovated and the roof of the temple has been covered with copper sheets which adds its beauty and glory.

See also

• Thattayil
• Pathanamthitta District
• Pandalam
• Ezhamkulam
• Vallicode

References

"The Hindu News - Thookam held at Orippurathu temple". Chennai, India. 2011-04-08. http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/08/stories/2011040859520500.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-24. 

"Facebook Community Page - Orippurathu temple". http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thattayil-Oruppurathu-Bhagavathi-Temple/145629658827433?v=info. Retrieved 2011-07-24.