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Home > Temples of Kerala > Temple rites Concept of uthsavaBy Sree-Bhootha-bali the prathishta rites of nine days are completed. If any uthsava is proposed to be conducted in the temple, it has to be started on the next day by hoisting the flag a rite known as kotiyettam. The rites of uthsava period can be broadly grouped under kalasas, grama-bali, pallikkurupp . (sleep of deity), palli-uttartthal, (awakening of deity), yaathrai-homam, palli-vetta (a royal chase), aaraattu-bali, aaraattu (royal bath) etc. The seven kalasas which are used for abhisheka, include pure water, milk, curd, ghee, ashtagandha-jala and pancha-gavya and tendercoconut -water each representing respectively brahma-chaithanya, amrtha (nectar), agni-mandala, soorya-chaithanya, ashta-dala-padma (which is the seat of the deity), pancha-bhootha and amritha-chaithanya. All these are considered to strengthen the power of the deity. The palJivetta, which is done on the penultimate day of uthsava, signifies the spreading of Deva-chaithanya to the desom or village in which the deity is installed. The place of pallivetta was considered as the limit of the habitat area and the region beyond that was treated as jungles having wild beasts in olden days. By pallivetta the wild animals and all aasura-sakthis (diabolic powers) are driven away and the village is made secure for peaceful living of the people. Though this was the concept in earlier days it has now become a mere ritual as all those areas which were once considered as forests have now become densely populated. Even then it proclaims arid signifies the mercy and concem of the Almighty in the welfare of the people living around the temple. The deity who is taken for pallivetta, retums to the temple and takes rest. Next day is the aaraat (royal bath) in which the idol is taken in procession to a nearby river, lake or tank and dipped in the water by reciting manthras. The concept here is that the nectar in the sahasraara-padma of the deity slowly descends and spreads to all parts of the village for its prosperity. All the people reverentially pay their respects on this occasion, and at least some of them take a dip while the idol is immersed in water. A procession is arranged usually after aaraat with the intention of giving blessings of the Lord to all people
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