Neelamperoor pooram Patayani


Pally Bhagavathi Temple, Neelamperoor has a history of about 1700 yrs and it is one of the few relics of the Buddhist culture in Kerala. It is situated about 3 Kms west of Kurichy Out post in Kottayam-Changanacherry M.C.Road . It was built at a time (between AD 250- 300) when Buddhism was at hay day of its prosperity. It is said that Banavarma,Other wise known as Cheramanperumal, who the sole emperor of Kerala, had become a Buddhist monk and spent the last days at Neelamperoor. While he was the ruler of KeralaHindus accused him of having favoured Buddhism they even refused to co-operate with him. As matters came to a head, he agreed to conduct a debate about Hinduism and Buddhism. If Buddhists won the debate Hindus had to accept Buddhism .If they failed the king agreed to abdicate the throne. Accordingly scholars of both the religions participated in the contest. Hindus arranged six eminent scholars from south India to argue their case. The Buddhists lost the case. There upon Cheramanperumal abdicated the throne and left the palace as a Buddhist monk. Thus he came to Neelamperoor and built a Buddha Vihara.

As years passed Buddhism lost its power and prestige in Kerala. It was at this period of Hindu renaissance that this Devi temple had been constructed. Even before the arrival of Cheramanperumal a temple was here dedicated to lord Siva. It was owned by ten Brahmin families known as Pathillathil pottimar. Neelakanta is another name for Siva and hence the place came to be called Neelamperoor. Dissatisfied with the arrival of perumal the Brahmins with the idol of Siva migrated to Vazhappally in Changanacherry It is said that perumal had consecrated the image of perinjanathu Bhagavathi in Thrissur.
The principal deity of the temple is Goddess Vanadurga. On the southeast corner behind the sanctum sanctorum we find the image of the Snake god. Outside the main temple are the temples of Lords Ganapathi, Siva, Dharmasastha,Mahavishnu and Rakshas.The priest of this temple belongs to Kollapally Madom in Neelamperoor. On special occasion the chief priest from the family Kannampally at Ayamkudy comes. Every day poojas are performed . The Maharaja of Travancore sponsored the first pooja of every day, but his sponsorship stopped with the decay of monarchy. Pudding ofcourse is the main offering to propitiate the deity; but its preparation differs from what it is in other temples. The water for this purpose is taken from the unripe coconut. The festivals of the temple are two in number- the ten day festival in the solar month meenam with its nineth day falling on pooram and the pooram padayani which starts from the day next to Thiruvonam in Chingam ( the first solar month of the Keralite calendar ) and lasts till Pooram, the birth day of the deity. Neelemperoor Pooram Padayani is held at the precincts of the beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagavathy at Neelemperoor near Kottayam. Padayani is a symbolic victory march of Goddess Kaali after vanquishing Darika.

During the pooram festival, decorated motifs of Swans;both large and small, form part of the Kettukazcha the symbolic offering made to the Goddess. These are then carried in a procession, on the main day of the festival in which bigger ones are moved on platforms with wooden wheels and smaller ones carried on the shoulders of devotees. A unique aspect of the motif decoration here at Neelemperoor is the sourcing of different colours. The required colours are taken from the surroundings, in the form of leaves, flower petals, parts of the coconut tree and other local plant varieties.

The procession is conducted at night and in its course towards the temple;it is accompanied by the reverberating beats emanating from several traditional drums (Chenda) along with clanging of Cymbals that fills the air with a captivating rhythm.

Periyar Tiger Reserve turns 75



Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) lies in the Western Ghats in the Idukki District of the Indian state of Kerala. The terrain of the Reserve is undulating and the drainage is dendrite. The northeastern boundary of the Reserve is a ridge, which also forms boundary between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for 90 km. The Periyar Lake, with an area of 26 sq. km., is the nucleus of the Tiger Reserve. Due to the diverticular shape, it caters to a much more extensive area of forest than would be possible if it was merely a compact lake. The main prey base of the tiger is sambar. The other prey animals of the tiger are the Indian bison and wild boar. Cattle in the fringe area also forms an important prey base.

In the present day Reserve area, a dam was constructed across the Periyar river in 1895 to provide irrigation facilities in Tamil Nadu. The forest around the reservoir, the Periyar Lake, was declared as reserve forest known as Periyar Lake Reserve in 1899. This area was declared as Nellikkampetty Sanctuary (600 sq. km.) in 1934. The Sanctuary was extended to 777 sq. km. in 1950 and renamed as Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The Reserve is contiguous with Ranni extending up to Achancovil. The core area of the Reserve, 350 sq. km. was declared a National Park in 1982.

Mangaladevi – Kannagi Temple falls on Northern boundary of the Reserve.

The presence of wild animals in Thekkady was noticed by the authorities during the construction of Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895 and the ‘Periyar Lake Reserve’ was formed incorporating the adjoining areas near the reservoir with Peerumade as its headquarters.

Project Elephant: More areas were added to the sanctualry and in 1978, it was declared as the tenth tiger reserve in the country. Withe the 1982 declaration of assigning it a national sanctuary status, PTR was included in the ‘Project Elephant’ scheme announced by the Centre. The reserve has a 375 sq.km. area of core forest and 96 kilometre border with Tamil Nadu.

According to official figures, PTR has 62 species of endangered mammals, 320 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles and 160 butterfly varieties. According to the wildlife census that the number of elephants in PTR is between 900 and1,000 and tigers between 35 to 40. It has a rich flora and fauna and accommodates 350 varieties of medicinal plants.

Forest Types
West Coast Tropical Evergreen Forests - 1 A/C4
West Coast Semi Evergreen Forests - 2 A/C2
Moist Deciduous Forest -3 A/C1a
Southern Montane Wet Grassland -11 A/C1/DS2

Eucalyptus Plantations
Main Flora
So far, 1,963 species of flowering plants belonging to 823 genera and 159 families have been documented by Dr. N. Sasidharan, Kerala Forest Research Institute and Kerala Forest Department (1998). Some important species are Hopea parviflora, Dipterocarpus indicus, Palaquium elliptium, Veteria indica and Myristica dactyloides.

Main Fauna
In Periyar Tiger Reserve 49 species of mammals, 265 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 35 species of fishes and 160 species of butterflies have been identified so far. Some important mammals are tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri tahr.

Management
The repair of existing camping sheds at Mavady and Mlappara with trenches was completed for ensuring staff presence at these key points. Raincoats, gumboots and hunter shoes were provided to the field staff. Protection/Patrolling Squads: In addition to regular staff, there is a special flying squad headed by a Range Officer for protection and patrolling. Village Forest Protection Committees: Twenty-two Eco-development Committees constituted in the fringe area are helpful in forest protection.

Eco-development
India Eco-development Project is being implemented at the Reserve since 1997. Habitat consolidation was done by acquiring three private estates (53.8 ha) during 1982. Effective fire-protection measures have promoted natural regeneration in grasslands. Planting of exotic species, such as eucalyptus in Periyar Tiger Reserve has been discontinued and action initiated to convert the present 55 sq. km. eucalyptus area into natural forest. The water sources have been judiciously developed. Some of the recent inputs have been enumerated below:

Some time ago, 50 newly recruited Forest Guards were posted in the Reserve after imparting them one-month training in Wildlife Management. Through awareness/eco-development approach, the local people have been involved in patrolling, information sharing and arrest of criminals indulging in illicit activities. Ten wireless stations are being maintained. About sixty watchers are engaged to compensate the shortage of regular protection staff. Frequent camping and combing operations with sufficient staff and watchers are being carried out. Special combing operations to detect illegal ganja cultivation are being carried out. Inspection Path Maintenance, vista-line clearance, roadside clearance and inter-state boundary clearance are being done for strengthening the perambulation. Patrolling camps with trenches were constructed at Brandipara, Uppermanalar and Eravingalar. Village Eco-development Programme Improved Protected Area Management. Impact monitoring and research, and Environmental education and awareness campaigns.

Effort is being made to minimize the biotic pressures resulting from factors such as grazing, firewood collection, non-timber forest produce collection, fishing and fire, by providing alternative income generation activities and bringing efficiency in utilization of natural resources. Under the India Eco-development Project, micro-plans have been prepared for the fringe villages.

Education and Awareness: Nature Camps are conducted in Periyar Tiger Reserve for students and members of various Nature Clubs.

Highways
The existing Vandiperiyar-Moozhiyar-Kakki Road, which passes through the Reserve, is being handed over to the Public Works Department.

Overlapping Jurisdiction: Overlapping jurisdiction of Grassland Afforestation Division in part of the Reserve.

Dual Control Over Tourism: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is running three luxury hotels and five boats as an independent agency.

General Information
Area: 777 sq. km.
Core: 350 sq. km.
Buffer: 427 sq. km.
Longitude: 76°57’ and 77°25’ E
Latitude: 9°16’ and 9°36’ N
Altitude: 100m. to 2016 m. above msl.
Rainfall: 2500 mm.
Temperature: Minimum: 15°C
Maximum: 31°C

Seasons:
Monsoon: Southwest and Northeast monsoon with maximum rainfall in July and minimum in January.
Summer: April-May
Winter: December-January

Kottappuram boat race

Kottappuram boat race
Thrissur: Jawahar Thayankari Chundan, a snakeboat rowed by members of the Kollam Jesus Boat Club, won the Kottappuram boat race held at the Kottapuram lake and lifted the V. K. Rajan trophy. Sree Ganesh Chundan of Kottayam Boat Club and Payippad Chundan of Alappuzha Boat Club finished second and third. Nine snakeboats took part.

Uthrattathi regatta thrills as of every year

Uthrattathi regatta thrills as of every year

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Mallappuzhasserry palliyodam (snake boat) in the A group and Kottathoor in the B group won in the Uthrattathi regatta on the Pampa at Aranmula on Tuesday. The two winners were presented the Mannam Trophy. Kizhvanmazhi stood second and Nedumprayar third in the A group, while Kadapra finished second in the B group. The Kizhukara boat bagged the first prize in rowing and rendition of Vanchippattu. Edayaranmula East in the A group and Thottappuzhasserry in B were adjudged the best decorated snake boats. The R. Sankar Memorial Gold Trophy went to Edayaranmula East. Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs M.S. Gill inaugurated the regatta. Minister N.K. Premachandran presented the Ramapurathu Warrier Award to poet O.N.V. Kurup. M.J. Mathai of Mallappuzhasserry, near Aranmula, was felicitated for saving the lives of 20 persons when the Keezhukara snake boat with 100 people on board capsized in the Pampa a week ago.

ONAM - THE HARVEST FESTIVAL OF KERALA

Onam Festival is celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kolla Varsham) called Chingam . This month corresponds to August-September in Gregorian Calendar and Bhadrapada or Bhadon in Indian (Hindu) Calendar.

The celebration of Onam as a national festival was taken up on Government initiative in Kerala in 1961.The celebrations start formally on the day of Atham asterism. Onam has certain social aspects. It provides an occasion for the family get-together for the Keralites. The head of the family presents clothes as gift (Onapudava) to the junior members, servants and tenants.

DAYS OF ONAM

Atham-------Day One
Chithir--------Day Two
Chodhi--------Day Three
Visakam------Day Four
Anizham------Day Five
Thriketa------Day Six
Moolam-------Day Seven
Pooradam --- Day Eight
Uthradam ----Day Nine
Thiruvonam - Day Ten

Onam carnival continues for ten days, starting from the day of Atham and culminating on Thiru Onam. Atham and Thiru Onam are the most important days for Onam festivities. The day of Atham is decided by the position of stars. Onam festival commences from lunar asterism (a cluster of stars smaller than a constellation) Atham (Hastha) that appears ten days before asterism Onam or Thiru Onam. Atham is regarded as auspicious and holy day by people of Kerala. Thiru Onam corresponds to the Shravan day in the month of August or September, hence it is also called Sravanotsavam.

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of Kerala. Festivities of Onam continue for ten long days. From atham to thiruvonam.

Rituals for the Atham Day
Main feature of this day is that making of Pookalam or the flower carpet starts from this day. Atha Poo is prepared in the front courtyard by girls of the house to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali in whose honour Onam is celebrated. Boys play a supporting role and help in gathering flowers. In the following days, more flowers are added to Pookalam. As a result Pookalam turns out to be of massive size on the final day.

Rituals for the ninth day-Utradam
On the Utradamday tenants and depends of Tharawads give presents to Karanavar , the eldest member of the family. These presents are usually the produce of their farms consisting of vegetables, coconut oil, plantains etc. This gift from the villagers to Karanavar on Onam are called 'Onakazhcha' . A sumptuous treat is offered is offered by Karanavar in return for Onakazhcha.

Thiruvonam
Kerala appears in its grandiose best on this day. Cultural extravaganza, music and feasts add colours of merriment and joy to the God's Own Country. There are celebrations all around the state and everybody takes active participation in them; Onam has assumed a secular character and is celebrated by people of all religions and communities.

On the day of Thiruvonam conical figures in various forms are prepared from sticky clay and are painted red. These are decorated with a paste made of rice-flour and water and are placed in the front court yard and other important places in the house. Some of these clay figures are in the shape of cone and others represent figures of Gods. Those in the shape of a cone are called, 'Trikkakara Appan'. Trikkara is also said to be the capital in the reign of legendary King Maveli.

The Feast - Onasadya
After completing the morning rituals, it is time for the family to get ready for the grand meal called Onasadya the meal is served to all present. The elaborate meal consists of 11 to 13 strictly vegetarian dishes and is served on banana leaves. There is a fixed order of serving the meal and a set place to serve the various dishes on the leaf.

Usually a banana leaf is used as the plate. All the curries (pickles through pachadi) are served on the leaf. Then the main dish, rice, is served. The first course is parippu, butter and pappadam. The next course is sambar over rice. Next comes the payasam, which is not mixed with the rice. Rasam and then pulissery over rice follows. The feast is completed with serving the yogurt over the rice. Optionally a banana may also be served with the feast.

Dances and Games
After the grand meal, it's time for people to indulge in recreational activities and enjoy the festival. Men of strength and vigour go in for rigorous sports while senior and sober members pass time by playing indoor games like chess and cards. There is a set of traditional games to be played on Onam which are collectively called, Onakalikal .

Onam is a festival of total celebration and geity with lots of games a few of them are

ONAM POOKALAM

Pookalam is a colourful arrangement of flowers on the floor. Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during ten-day-long(Atham to Thiruvonam)Onam celebrations.

Various flowers are used on each day as a specific flower is dedicated to each day of Onam. Commonly used flowers include Thumba , Kakka Poovu, Thechipoovu, Mukkutti , Chemparathy , Aripoo or Konginipoo , Hanuman Kireedom and Chethi . Of all these flowers, Thumba flowers are given more importance in Pookalam as they are small in size and glitter in the the soft rays of the sun.

Onam Games (Onakalikal)

When the meals are over, members of the family used to participate in the games. There are both in-door and out door games and recreations. The older and more sedate members of the family have a game of chess, dice or cards. The younger and the more robust join in the noisy merry-making outside. The outdoor recreations consist of

Talappanthukali, Kayyankali, Archery or Ambeyyal, Kutukutu, others like Pulikali, Kummattikali, Thumbi Thullal, Kaikotti kali and the Vallam kali etc.

Talappanthukali

The foot-ball or 'Talappanthukali' is par-excellence the game for Onam. Pantukali is the most important out-door game. The ball is made by wrapping up layers of dried-up plantain leaves with some pebbles inside for giving the required weight and the whole thing is tied up with plantain fiber or coconut fiber to the size of a tennis ball.

Combats are of two kinds, those that are undertaken singly and those held in batches. The first is known as Kayyankali and the second as Attakalam. Kayyankali is a combat and an extremely violent one. Men of strength play it on the occasion of Onam. To play Kayyankali men fight one-to-one without using any weapon and the stronger man wins. Attakalam is the second combat game played on the occasion of Onam. The first being 'Kayyankali'. Attakalam is less dangerous and aggressive of the two. The other difference between the two combats is that while Attakalam is played in batches, Kayyankali is played singly.

Archery or Ambeyyal as it is popularly called in Kerala, is one of the many games played on the occasion of Onam. The game tests the skill and patience of a player and is played by men.

Kutukutu is a popular and entertaing game played during the festival of Onam. It is a fun game and very much like the popular game of Kabaddi played in several parts of India. Though simple in nature, the game is an extremely challenging one as it tests strength, speed, tact and the power of lungs of a player.

Kummattikali

A mask dance popular in North Kerala. The dancers go dancing from house to house. The Major Kummati Character is Thalla or Witch while others represent the various deities of the Vedic pantheon. Songs are basically devotional and are normally accompanied by a bow like instrument called Ona-Villu. Spectators generally join in the performances as no training is required in this art. 'Kummattikali' is one of the famous folk dances associated with temples. This mask dance is associated with the Devi temples in Palghat district and is a secular art form. Kummatti dancers wear brightly painted wooden masks and don a costume made of leaves and grass. They go from house to house, singing and dancing, during the Onam festival.

Kaikottikalli

Kaikottikali, also known as thiruvathirakali, is a very popular, graceful and symmetric group-dance of the women of Kerala often performed during festive seasons like Thiruvathira and Onam. It is a simple and gentle dance with the lasya element predominating, even though the thandava part is also brought in occasionally, when men also participate as seen in some parts of the Malabar area. Typically dressed in Kerala style with mandu and neriyathu and the hairbun bedecked with jasmine garlands the women dance in gay abandon, singing melodious Thiruvathira songs which are well-reputed for their literary flourish. One of the performers sing the first line of a song while the rest repeat it in chorus, clapping their hands in unison. Moving in a circle, clockwise and at time anticlockwise, at every step they gracefully bend sideways, the arms coming together in beautiful gestures, upwards and downwards and to either side, in order to clap.

Thumbi Thullal

Thumbi Thullal is a folk dance performed by a group of women who sit in the formation of a circle. The lead performer sits inside the circle and initiates the song. Some women also perform the clap dance dressed in their best clothes and ethnic jewelry. While men engage themselves in energetic sports, womenfolk perform Thumbi Thullal and have their share of fun. Wearing their best sarees, stunning jewelery and fragrant gajras, a group of women sit in the formation of circle to play Thumbi Thullal. In the centre of the circle sits the main performer. Lead singer initiates a song in her melodious voice by singing the first couplet which is taken up by other women. The sequence continues song after song with the lead singer initiating the couplet every time followed by a chorus from other women. Joyful clap dance also goes on in rhythm with the singing.

One of the main attractions of Onam, is the 'Vallamkali' or boat races of Karuvatta, Payippad, Aranmula and Kottayam. Hundreds of oarsmen row traditional boats to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. These long graceful Snake Boats called 'Chundans' are named after their exceedingly long hulls and high sterns that resemble the raised hood of a cobra. Then there are 'Odis', the small and swift raiding crafts adorned with gold tasseled silk umbrellas, the 'Churulans' with their elaborately curled prows and sterns, and the 'Veppus', a kind of cook-boat. This traditional village rivalry on watercrafts reminds one of ancient naval warfare. Thousands throng the banks to cheer and watch the breathtaking show of muscle power, rowing skills and rapid rhythm. These boats - all pitted against their own kind - rip through the backwaters of Kerala in a tussle of speed.

To read more about onam and its history pls visit:

http://www.ourkeralatrip.com/festivals/onam