Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple

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Vadakkupurathupattu

Vadakkupurathupattu – A Grand Spiritual Celebration Once in 12 Years

Kodiarchana -17 March 2025 to 13 April 2025

Vadakkupurathu Pattu - 02 April 2025 to 13 April 2025

The Vadakkupurathupattu, a revered ritual held once every 12 years, is set to take place from March 17 to April 13, 2025, in the divine presence of the ever-benevolent Lord Sree Vaikkathappan - the Lord of Wishes and the Lord of Sacred Offerings. This grand event will be conducted alongside the Kodiarchana, amplifying the spiritual significance and blessings for devotees.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple – The Eternal Abode of Lord Shiva

The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, one of the 108 sacred Shiva temples, holds a rich historical and spiritual legacy that dates back to the Treta Yuga. Revered as the Southern Kashi, the temple is referred to in the Bhargava Purana and Sanalkumarasamhita as Vaiyaghrageham and Vaiyaghrapuram. Ancient texts like the Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, Vedasarasarasivasahasranama, and others affirm Vaikom’s divine prominence, placing it alongside the great Vedic centers of spiritual wisdom.

The Unique Manifestations of Vaikkathappan

Unlike other temples, Lord Vaikkathappan blesses devotees in three distinct divine forms:

• At dawn – As Dakshinamurthy, the supreme teacher who dispels ignorance.
• At noon – As Kiratamurthy, the fierce warrior who bestowed the Pashupatastra upon Arjuna.
• At dusk – As Sambasiva, the compassionate divine family man,

Vadakkupurathu Pattu – A Sacred Ritual of Divine Protection

Vadakkupurathu Pattu is a 12-day Kalamezhuthu Pattu (ritualistic art and song) performed once every 12 years to appease Goddess Bhadrakali. This sacred event, conducted on the Karthika day of the Malayalam month of Meenam, takes place in the northern courtyard of the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, accompanied by special rituals and Guruthi offerings.

The Origin of Vadakkupurathu Pattu

According to legend, during the reign of the King of Vadakkumkoor, a devastating smallpox epidemic spread across the region, claiming numerous lives. Seeking divine guidance, the troubled king consulted astrologers, who revealed that the calamity was due to Kuja Dosha (the adverse influence of the planet Mars). To counter this, they advised the king to appease Goddess Bhadrakali, the deity associated with Mars, by offering prayers at the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, her most revered shrine.

Following their counsel, the king and his nobles traveled to Kodungallur and undertook 41 days of dedicated worship. On the final day, the king received a divine vision in his dream, where the Goddess instructed him:

quot;You must conduct a 12-day Kalamezhuthu Pattu and Guruthi ritual in the northern courtyard of Vaikom in my honor. This must be repeated every 12 years, and no harm shall befall your land."

The Goddess also revealed the specific method of performing the ritual:

A sword must be placed on a stool, symbolizing the divine presence of the Goddess.

Worship should be conducted before commencing the Pattu, ensuring her blessings.

Awakening from his vision, the king, convinced of the divine intervention, approached the temple priests, who confirmed that the Goddess herself had given him the instructions. Following this revelation, the king returned to Vaikom and conducted the Vadakkupurathu Pattu as directed. Soon after, the epidemic subsided, and peace was restored to the kingdom.

Since then, this sacred ritual has been observed once every 12 years, ensuring the protection and well-being of the land and its people.

Kaalnattu Karma – The Commencement of Vadakkupurathu Pattu

Kaalnattu Karma marks the beginning of Vadakkupurathu Pattu, commencing 41 days before the main ritual. This sacred tradition follows a series of meticulously performed rituals that invoke divine energy and prepare for the grand event.

The Ritual Process

• The ceremony begins with the Pantheeradi Pooja, after which the worshipped sword and anklet are taken to a designated spot.
• The temple mediator (God-speaker) strikes the sacred tree three times with the sword, initiating the ritual.
• A carefully chosen jackfruit tree, approximately 20 feet tall and 30-40 inches wide, is selected. The tree must be sap and fruit-bearing, free from any damage.
• This tree is then felled by individuals who have observed a strict spiritual vow (Vratha), ensuring that it never touches the ground during the process.
• Devotees ceremoniously carry the tree around the temple before placing it in the northern courtyard at an auspicious time.

The Divine Presence

Once placed, the temple priest invokes the divine energy of Goddess Sree Kurumba Devi into the sacred tree. A lamp is lit in front of the tree, which remains illuminated throughout Vadakkupurathu Pattu, symbolizing the continuous presence and blessings of the Goddess. Special worships and offerings are performed, as it is believed that Sree Kurumba Devi resides in the helm of this sacred tree, ensuring divine protection and prosperity.

This deeply revered ritual signifies the spiritual and ceremonial commencement of Vadakkupurathu Pattu, reinforcing the age-old traditions and divine grace associated with this once-in-12-years event.

Desathalappoli – A Sacred Ritual of Vadakkupurathu Pattu

Desathalappoli is an integral ritual of Vadakkupurathu Pattu, where the divine procession from Udayanapurathappan Temple, the temple of Vaikkathappan's son, proceeds to Taikkattuseri Goddess Temple on the 38th day and to Moothedathu Goddess Temple on the 40th day. This sacred journey symbolizes the connection between these deities and reinforces the spiritual traditions associated with the festival.

The Rituals of Desathalappoli

A significant aspect of this ritual is the construction of a large makeshift room, where a Kalamezhuthu Pattu is performed for 12 days, depicting the Goddess in different divine forms.

• Days 1-4: The Goddess is drawn with eight arms.
• Days 5-8: The depiction expands to sixteen arms.
• Days 9-11: The Goddess is illustrated with thirty-two arms.
• Final Day: The most powerful form is drawn, showing the Goddess with sixty-four arms, holding weapons, and riding Vetalaroopa, embodying her Raudra (fierce) form.

It is believed that the right side of the Kalamezhuthu represents the divine spirit (Deva), while the left side symbolizes the demonic forces (Asura), portraying the eternal cosmic balance between good and evil.

This elaborate ritual, accompanied by prayers, offerings, and special poojas, is a testament to the devotion and cultural significance of Vadakkupurathu Pattu, drawing thousands of devotees to witness and seek the blessings of the divine.

The Grand Procession & Conclusion of Vadakkupurathu Pattu

For all 12 days of Vadakkupurathu Pattu, the procession of Goddess Bhadrakali, accompanied by Panchavadyam (traditional temple orchestra), begins from VadakkenadaKochalumChuvadu and proceeds toward the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple.

As the AthazhaSreebali procession of Vaikkathappan reaches the northern side of the temple, the Goddess’ procession enters the temple from KochalumChuvadu.

Both processions then circle the temple together in a sacred ritual.

After the third round, the Goddess is led to Nedumpura, accompanied by devotional songs and specific poojas.

The day's celebrations conclude with the ritualistic erasing of the Kalamezhuthu (Kalam Maykkal).

On the 12th day, after the final Kalam Maykkal, Vadakkupurathu Pattu concludes with the Guruthi ritual.

The last day’s Kalam is the largest and most intricate of all, making it one of the rarest and most sacred Kalamezhuthu drawings in Kerala.

Kodi Archana – A Rare and Auspicious Ritual

The Kodi Archana is a highly revered Vedic ritual that has been conducted only four times in the history of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple – in the years 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2013. The upcoming 2025 Kodi Archana will be the fifth time this powerful offering is performed, making Vaikom Temple the only temple to have conducted this sacred ritual five times.

The ceremony takes place in the eastern part of the temple, at the Mandapa, where Sage Vyaghrapada is believed to have had a divine vision of Vaikkathappan. Here, renowned priests, including BrahmasreeMattappalli Narayanan Namboothiri and BrahmasreeMekkat Narayanan Namboothiri, will conduct special poojas for 27 days, invoking blessings for all 27 stars (nakshatras).

The Vedic chants and offerings include:

• Sarvaiswaryam
• Siva Sahasranamam
• AikyamatyaSooktam
• Bhagya Sooktam
• Mangalya Sooktam
• Ashtotharam
• Maha Rudram
• Panchaksharam

The Kodi Archana begins on March 17, 2025 (Chithira Nakshatra) and culminates on April 13, 2025, with the Sahasra Kalasha ritual.

This rare and auspicious ritual is performed to invoke prosperity, divine blessings, and spiritual harmony. Devotees are encouraged to actively participate in the various poojas and worship ceremonies to receive the grace of Vaikkathappan and Goddess Kodungallur Bhagavathy.

  Archana prasadam shall be sent through post

Donations can be sent to:

General Secretary, KodiarchanaVadakkupurathu Pattu Committee 2025,

Vaikom.P.O, Kottayam Dist, Kerala – 686141, India

Phone : +91 9074255640,

E-mail: vadakkupurathupattu2025@gmail.com

Website : www.vadakkupurathupattu.com