The famous annual Vrischikolsavam festival normally takes place in the month of November or December at Sree Poornathrayeesa temple (Poorana meaning fullness,thera meaning three and Eesa meaning Easwaran)in Tripunithura, Kochi and the traditional Seeveli marks the opening of the 8 day temple festival. Interesting part of this unique festival is participation of a large number of caparisoned elephants. The deity Thrayee signifies Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas - the God of the Three Vedas, hence the deity in the temple is known as Thrayeesha. Participation of elephants is part of the worship protocol of this temple.
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| Seeveli Tripunithura temple wikiwand.com |
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| Seeveli at Tripunithura temple, KE newindianexpress.com |
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| Seeveli at Tripunithura temple thehindu.com |
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| Tripunithura,, Kerala sreepoornathrayeesatemple.org |
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| Sree Poornathrayeesa temple indiatempletour.com |
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| Sree Poornathrayeesa temple Thripunithura,keralatourism.org |
Vrischikolsavam is the annual festival of Lord Poornathrayeesa of Tripunithura (that may fall in November -December) attended by thousands of devotees with devotional fervor to participate in thrikketta kanikkayidal, the presentation of offerings during the grand procession in which the idol of Lord Poornathrayeesa is taken out with golden umbrella, golden headgear and paraphernalia. The devotees normally present their offerings in the golden pot.
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| Location map, Thripunithura, Kerala wikimapia.org |
The festivities will start with seeveli and panchari melam presented by numerous artists. Also included are the 15 caparisoned elephants that are paraded along with the religious procession.The custom has been that before the festivities the temple officials have to get clearance from the government and apar,they have to approach "the district Elephant Monitoring Committee which is the sole agency. The committee will decide on all matters related to number of elephants parading in the procession.
As the presiding deity of this temple is Sri Vishnu who is fond of elephants, participation of a large number of elephants for Seevali ritual is a must and has been in vogue for decades. . Only during the Covid 19 pandemic,there was restriction over the number of participating elephants An important temple among the eight temples patronized by the erstwhile Royal family of Kochi,Santhana Gopalan of this temple is considered the protector of children. Asin many Keralatemples,the outer walls of the temple is fitted with oil lamp brackets and the lamps are lit on the days of festivities.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/permission-to-parade-11-elephants-at-temple-fest-kicks-up-a-row/article37796476.ece
https://hindupost.in/society-culture/temples-secular-government-case-study-tripunithura/
