All these seasonal events are repeated every year. In order to understand these ceremonies and how they progress, I have described the events of Timeline 1999-2000. The individuals involved in these events change but their place is taken by corresponding individuals holding the same portfolio and performing the same duty/duties. If there are any major changes in the modalities of conducting these ceremonies, or if some new ceremonies are incorporated , such news would be reflected on these pages on `as needed' basis.
From the day the `Vrutham' commences, till the pilgrimage ends,
all male pilgrims are addressed as `Ayyappans' and the female pilgrims are
called `Malikapurams'. This is also the common form of mutual address amongst
the pilgrims. Pilgrims who are proceeding to Sabarimala for the FIRST TIME are
called `KANNI AYYAPPANS'. or `KANNI MALIKAPURAMS'.
(Photographs available in `Photo Gallery of Rabouan)
"Thullal" means frenzied dancing. `Petta Thullal' is actually a
mass frenzied dancing 
accompanied by loud music created by traditional
instruments of this region. Prior to Petta Thullal, the pilgrims smear colour
on their faces and bodies. It is said that smearing of colours and taking part
in this sort of a dance is a symbolic step towards shedding one's ego which is
an essential pre-requisite before undertaking the pilgrimage. It is obligatory
for all Kanni Ayyappans and Kanni Malikapurams to perform Petta Thullal. The
`second year' pilgrims are entrusted with the task of dressing up `Kanni
Ayyappans' for the `Petta Thullal' ceremony.The participants and the onlookers
seem to agree that "more the noise, bigger the crowd, more frenzied the
occasion, greater the satisfaction".
Varied reasons are offered to justify what `Petta Thullal' signifies. Some such explanations are:-
An overpowering atmosphere of religious ceremonies prevail at Erumeli during
the 
pilgrimage season. Between the sound of conch shells and Saranams emanating from the Kochambalam,
Sastha Kshetram and surroundings at Erumeli, one can distinctly hear the
the muezzin's call from the minaret of the mosque that is located between the
two temples. This is ample proof of the brotherhood and religious
harmony prevailing in the area.
During Petta Thullal, `Kanni' participants carry a wooden arrow. This arrow is retained by them till they reach Saramkuthi Aal in the proximity of Sabarimala temple. As per legend, Malikapurathamma, whose temple also exists at Sannidhanam is in eternal wait for Ayyappan to marry her. It is said that Ayyappan, a celibate, had promised that he would marry her in that year when no `Kanni Ayyappan' arrives at Sannidhanam.
Kanni
Ayyappans mark their arrival at Sabarimala by depositing these arrows
at `Saramkuti Aal'. From 15th to 18th Jan, Malikapurathamma is taken out
to this location to check for the presence of arrows. If arrows are found, that
means Kanni Ayyappans had visited Sabarimala. She returns dejected to her abode
waiting for the next year. With the chopping down of the `Aal' at Saramkuthi,
more and more Ayyappans are seen depositing the arrows at Sabaripeedom (where Sabari attained salvation
after a long penance. Traditional
offerings at Sabaripeedom are breaking of coconuts and the `vedi'
vazhipadu). This is against convention and must be avoided because if
Kanni Ayyappans continue
to deposit their wooden arrows at Sabaripeedom then a day may come when Malikapurathamma finds the place bereft of arrows. This
could lead to an indication that no `Kanni' ayyappan has visited Sannidhanam
that year.
In the old days, it is only after some days after the commencement of the traditional vrutham on 1st of Vrichikam that pilgrims arrived at Erumeli. But nowadays scenes of `Petta Thullal' can be seen from Vrichikam 1st (the first day of the traditional vrutham) itself. Petta Thullal takes place almost everyday from the 1st of the malayalam month of Vrichikam (around Nov 17th) till a couple of days prior to the the temple closing on 20th Jan. Many pilgrims come to Erumeli by car or other vehicles, perform the Petta Thullal and continue their journey by the same means to Pampa. At Pampa they commence their trek on foot.
Dhanu 27th ( around Jan 11th), certain time blocks are reserved for groups
from `Ambalapuzha' and `Aalangat' to perform their `Petta Thullal'. It is said
that these localities had sent large contingent of troops to augment Ayyappan's
f
orces and accordingly this special `lien' accrue to them to honour their
warriors. Other pilgrims are generally not permitted to join these groups as
they would have rehearsed and co-ordinated their efforts for a better
performance. This event will gets more and more colourful as the two groups
compete with each other in a friendly spirit. It is a memorable event for
spectators and photographers alike.
Ambalapuzha Petta Thullal party leaves Ambalapuzha on 8th Jan morning after offering traditional prayers at Ambalapuzha temple. The group consists of nearly 350 ayyappans. Enroute they are ceremoniously received at Thakazhi, Anaprambal, Pakkulathu Kavu, Thiruvalla Sri Vallabha Swami temple. The party finaly reaches Manimalakkavu Devi temple. There they prepare for the `Aazhi Pooja' scheduled for 9th Jan. After the Aazhi Pooja, the party departs for Erumeli, arriving there on 10th Jan morning.
The Petta Thullal of Ambalapuzha Group, consisting of nearly 350 members, commences on the specified day at around forenoon. The group assembles in front of the small temple along with caparisoned elephants, traditional wind and percussion instruments, wooden bows and arrows, clubs, bunches of twigs/grass etc and waits in anticipation of a divine eagle which is expected to appear over the small temple. Petta Thullal commences only after the divine eagle is sighted in the sky. It is believed that Sri Krishna, who is the reigning deity at Ambalapuzha temple, leaves Ambalapuzha temple on the morning of Dhanu 27th, immediately after the temple doors close after noon pooja and arrives overhead Erumeli on a divine eagle, his favourite means of transport, to bless the Petta Thullal party from Ambalapuzha. Hence, the wait for the divine eagle.
During Petta Thullal, the participants constantly chant the religious phrases "Ayyappa Thinthaka Thom" and "Swamy Thinthaka Thom". This is chanted loudly in consonance with the lively rhythm of the dance.
The Petta Thullal traditionally starts from the small temple
(Kochambalam) at Erumeli.
A small idol of `Dharmasastha' is carried on caparisoned elephant. Then the dancers move on to
Nainar mosque of Vavar, who was a close friend
of Ayyappan, to pay their respects there. The party is ceremonially received at
the mosque. A representative of Vavar Swamy will then accompany the group to the big
temple(Valiambalam) which is about a kilometre away. 
After going around the the big temple
traditionally, the Petta Thullal comes to an end. After this members of the
Petta Thullal troupe bathe and subsequently partake in the community feast
which is held in the forenoon/afternoon. In the evening, they set off on foot to
Karimala. The Petta Thullal by Aalangat group takes place a few hours later
after siting a particular star in the day sky.. Aalangat group does not go the mosque of Vavar Swamy as they believe that Vavar
Swamy, whose permanent base is Erumeli, has left the mosque with the group from
Ambalapuzha. During the Petta Thullal by Aalangat group, a shining star is
observed in the sky traditionally. There is a healthy competition between the
groups to perform to perfection.
The group will be received and provided accommodation by Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham at Pampa. After witnessing the Pampa Vilakku on 13th night, the group will move on to Marakootam enroute to Sannidhanam. There they will officially be welcomed by Senior Devasom Board and Police authorities.
On Makaravilakku day, `Neyyabhishekam' and `Ellu Nivedyam' will be performed on behalf of the group. On 15th, special Seeveli of the Ambalapuzha group will be conducted at Sannidhanam. Accompanied by traditional music and escorted by caparisoned elephants and ceremonial `thala poli' the group will set out from the temple of Malikapurathamma. They proceed to Pathinettam Padi and as the Seeveli reaches the Pathinettam Padi, the steps are ceremoniously cleaned and obesiance paid to the holy steps by lighting camphor flames.
Copyright © 1999 Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham (ABASS). All rights
reserved
Created and Hosted by NetVigilante
