AARAT AT THE SREE PADMANABHASWAMI TEMPLE

Submitted by UMAMAHESWARI on Mon, 2007-03-26 21:36. Culture
STATUES OF PANDAVAS

AAARAT FALLS ON MONDAY THE 2ND OF APRIL

AARAAT
The biannual festival at the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple concluds with Aaraat which falls on 2nd of April. His Highness Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma, the present head of the Travancore Royal Family, who escorts the deities to the Sanghumukham Beach, recollects how Aaraat was celebrated during in his younger years.

“We have two festivals, one in March-April and the other in October –November. In those days they were celebrate with much pomp and splendor. It begins with the kodiyettu. Except on the first day we have two seevelis on all these days” he said and explained:
“The word Aaraat literally means bathing. Legends say that it was initiated by Parasurama. The triumph of good over evil is the Universal truth that our tradition had taught us. The story is that Mahavishnu set out to slain the Demon of Evil. This takes place on the eve of AARAAT, known as the Pallivetta which signifies the march of Lord Vishnu, to kill the Demon. The procession returns by night and the Lord has been polluted, and the Aaraat is the purification ceremony.”

“It was a gorgeous procession of the Gods headed by the Maharaja. The Gods, Sree Padmanabha, Sree Krishna, and Sree Narasimha elaborately decorated and seated in different vaahanams are carried to the beach to be bathed in the ocean.”
“The vaahanams, itself are masterpieces of art. They are lavishly decorated, with fresh flowers, gold and silk. After the usual circumambulations in the temple, they are taken out through the Western entrance of the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple. A salute of 21 guns fired by the State artillery announces the beginning of the procession. The Maharaja walks as the humble of vassal of Lord Padmanabha. When all the royal male members and most of the temples employees escort the deities, the Temple was taken care of by the female members of the family. They stay in the Temple till the return of the procession. Today they do come to witness the colorful Aaraat at the Sanghumukham.”
In those days the roads and houses on either side of the streets through which the procession winds its way were decorated. Caparisoned elephants, carrying the State flag led the procession. Next came the horses form the royal stables. Servants attached to the temple carried the emblems of divinity and colorful umbrellas. The state cavalry marched in single file. A wooden box, covered with leopard skin another emblem of royalty also found its place. The Nair officials according to their rank in temple costume, with drawn sword and dangling shield marched in front His Highness. They wore red turban, and a scarlet body band.

The Maharaja clad in simple temple costume, bare footed and bar bodied, wearing a velvet cap, with the representation of the Golden foot of Padmanabha. The heir apparent and other male members of the royal family follow the Maharaja. The temple musicians rendering Swati Tirunal compositions, is followed by the images of the Gods are carried on the shoulders. Women servants in the traditional attire walk in rows with hand lamps. Nearly five thousand men participated in the colorful procession.”

“At Vallakkadavu, the Muslim boys of the Thiruvananthapuram Yatheem Khana pay salute to the Maharaja, accompanying the Aaraat – a symbol of communal harmony that we see even today.” Said His Highness.
The procession halted every 100 yards. The Maharaja stops and turns and makes a humble obeisance to the Deities. At the beach the Vahanams are placed on the granite mandapam. After sunset the images are taken out into the ocean by the priests, and bathed amidst prayers. The festival closes with the return of the deity to the temple at 9 pm. The flaring torches with five to ten branches.

Devotees lining the entire route of the procession offer homage to God and the Maharaja. History, legend, pomp splendor, antiquity and custom come to life during the festival which culminates with Aaraat. It is a confluence of color, music, rhythm and pageantry.
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AARAT AT THE REEPADMANABHASAMI TEMPLE
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 2007-04-17 21:19.

please add the photos of the deities and the Maharaja going for the arattu of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple
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