Uthralikavu Pooram

 Uthralikkavu, or Rudra Maha Kali Kavu, is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, situated two kilometres away from Wadakkancherry on the Kodungallur-Shornur State highway in Thrissur District of Kerala the god’s own country. 

The temple is set amidst the paddy fields of Akamala Desam surrounded by a chain of undulating hills in the Thalappilli taluk, Enkakkad village of Thrissur district. Uthralikavu pooram –.

In olden days it was Uthralikavu Vela. Now it is called pooram. The change from vela to pooram was gradual

Uthralikavu Pooram/Vela is a spectacular temple festival conducted during early summer every year in Valluvanad, Central Kerala. The festival flag-hoisting (kodiyettam) ceremony takes place on the second Tuesday of the Malayalam month of Kumbha.

After kodiyettam, the goddess settles down in the body of the Velichappadu Komaram, comes out of the kavu and goes around the nearby villages to bless her devotees at their residences and to accept their offerings.

Towards the end of the following seven days, the  Uthralikkavu Pooram is celebrated as part of the valedictory functions. The villagers of Enkakad (the village where famous cine director Bharathan lived) have the privilege of beginning the Pooram on Pooram day.

Then follow the villages of Wadakkancherry and Kumaranellur. Later, all three vilalge folks join together and line up the decorated elephants at the main Pooram venue, which lies in amidst harvested paddy fields in front of the temple.

The main features of the Uthralikavu  Pooram are the decorated elephants with their nettipattam, beautifully crafted kolam, decorative bells and ornaments.

Add to this the panchavadyam, the rhythmic beating of the drums, and what would otherwise be a cacophony is a spontaneous symphony. The fireworks are of a class apart —beautiful displays of colour.

Uthralikavu Pooram is celebrated with the active participation of the three rival villages in the Wadakkancherry Panchayat —Enkakad, Kumaranellur and Wadakanchery — which mobilise their resources, making the Uthralikavu  Pooram grander every year.

They vie with each other in presenting leading elephants, percussionists and in the display of fireworks.

In Uthralikavu Pooram Each group is allowed to display a maximum of eleven elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in south India and the most artistic and colourful parasols, which are raised on the elephants during the display.

The marvellous sound of the Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed.

Among the many festivals celebrated in Kerala, the Uthralikkavu Pooram is the most spectacular — more so than even the Thrissur Pooram.

It is also a festival of the village folk that takes place after the harvest season and presents various rural art forms like pootham, thira, nayadi, kummatti, kalakali, etc.

The Story behind Uthralikavu- Uthralikavu Pooram.

Uthralikkavu, is in  Enkakad desham(aka 'place'), is famous for poorams and velas. There is a story told by the elders about the temples in Enkakad. According to them, the name Enkakad derived from the word Thinkalkadu (The hair of siva aka thirujada in which moon resides). Veeranimangalam temple at the heart of Enkakad Village is known to the local people as Siva Temple. Lord Siva begged rice from the hill nearby called Uriyarikunnu (Uriyari—about 150 ml of rice) with the rice so received; he prepared his dinner at a nearby place. This place was called Vechanad, which later became Machad. Lord Siva gave places to the two goddesses (Bhagavathis) in this area, one at the north east i.e., Akamala for Rudrakali (Rudhiramahakali or Uthrali as known now) and the other at south i.e., Machad for Thiruvaani (Vaani means voice, speech, music etc.) It is also believed by the local people that Thiruvaanikavu Bhagavathy is elder sister of Uthralikkavilamma. Accordingly, on the night of the day on which Thiruvanikkavu Vela/ Pooram (better known as Machad Mamankam or Kuthiravela) takes place, (Tuesday that comes after the first Friday of malayalam month, Kumbham) the Parapurapad (visit to housed to accept nirapara) of Uthralikavu Bhagavathy starts. The Uthralikkavu Pooram is celebrated on the 8th day from the date of parapurapad.

According to the legends, Kelathachan was a local chieften in Talappill Taluk of Trichur District, like the Paliathachan of Trichur Taluk. Kelathachan had his mansion in the bosom of Akamala, an evergreen forest famous for its flora and fauna. The green stretch of paddy fields owned by him on the western valley of these forests were rich in yields. During his visits to these fields Kelathachan used to keep a palmleafed umbrella (Olakuda). It was believed that Goddess Mookambika used to rest on his umbrella. Once when kept his umbrella on the ridges of the paddy field, bhagavathy got out of the umbrella and sat on the ridges. This place is known as the Sreemoolasthanam. A ‘Poovam’ tree was planted behind this place, to protect Devi from sun and rain.

After a long time once a harijan lady had a strange experience. While sharpening her sickle on a stone a little away from Sreemoolasthanam, she saw blood dripping from the stone and was frightened and therefore screamed aloud. Male workers who heard the sound, came to the scene to witness the strange incident. They reported the matter to Kelathachan. As was the practice, he consulted the Astrologer. According to the astrologer, bhagavathy liked to have a permanent abode there to accept the offerings and worship of her devotees. Therefore, an open roofed temple was built there and Bhagavathy was consecrated in it with all relevant rituals. A tamil Brahmin was appointed there as priest. The day on which the consecration ceremony was conducted, was decided to be the Vela/pooram day.