Kudallur: Guruthi for Kodikkunnath Bhagawati performed

Guruthi pooja is a pooja where the ‘guruthi’ is offered to the Goddess. Guruthi represents blood and blood symbolizes vitality. So guruthi pooja is where you offer the vitality to the Goddess (citation from www.shripuram.org). Desa Guruthi is a kind of Guruthi pooja in which the vitality is offered to deity on behalf of a Desam (village or place).

The last Desa Guruthi to Sri Kodikkunnath Bhagawati, the goddess of the Kudallur village was performed at Kudallur on 2nd April 2010, Friday (1185 Meenam 19). The rituals of Guruthi were conducted at Guruthi Paramb nead Kudallur Sri Vazhakavu Durga Bhagawati temple. Kuttan Adikal, one of the known performers of religious rituals like Guruthi led the programme.

The rituals started at 6.00am at Vazhakavu Durga Bhagawati temple with Ganapati homam. This was followed by Usha pooja, Navakom and Niramala. Koorayidal (the flag hoisting) was at 11.00am. At noon Ucha pooja was conducted followed by Bhagawatippaatt and Kalam pooja. Then was the time for Ezhunnellipp, the colourful and devotional possession. It was started from old Guruthi paramb to the new one. Three elephants (Kootanad Rajasekharan carrying the thidamb, Madhusankar and Sivan) were the part of possession. Poothan and Thira, Kalavela and the like made the possession a spectacular one.

Panchavadyam led by Kalamandalam Annamanada Parameswara Maraar, Pariyarath Chandra Maraar, Pallassana Murali, Nalleppilly Kuttan, Kalamandalam Kuttinarayanan , Thrippunithura Sasi and the like gave the village a musical treat filled with devotion.

Melam, another musical treat for the goddess was performed in the evening, at 5.00pm. 6.30- Deeparadhana, 7.00-Ashtapathi, 7.30- Thayambaka (by Guruvayur Sasi Maraar), 9.00- Keli (Chenda: Kottakkal Ravi, Madhalam: Kayilad Babu), 10.00- Bhagawatippattu were also held. At around 10.30pm Purath Ezhunnellipp began. Panchavadyam and, Girls and women with thalams accompanied the possession and rounded Vazhakavu Temple.

At midnight the most important part of Desaguruthi wad done with great piety. Guruthi pooja was performed first. Then the scholar led the ritual of sacrificing a goat, and offered the blood to Sri Kodikkunnath Bhagawati. This ritual is called Tharppanam.

In the wee hours of the next day Vadakkan Vathukkal Karmam and Thendu theendal was also done. The day night long rituals came to an end when Koora Valikal (flag lowering) was done at around 3.00am.

Sri Kodikkunnath Bhagawati is believed to be the goddess of Kudallur, by the Hindus at Kudallur. She protects the village from famine, drought and epidemics, according to their belief.