KOLLAM SRI PISHARIKAVU TEMPLE FESTIVAL

Popularly known as Kaliyattam,weaklong celebration with veriety of culturalprogrammes and religious customs which is unique will be stagged during this period.Thousands of devotees pour into Kollam about two K M from Koilandy.This is a main temple in the Northern part of Kerala.The main attraction is that it corelates people of different caste and creed.This leads people to unity.Devotees comes in groups from different parts in group with elephants,Muthukuda,and other colorful decorative itemsThis exhonerate unity in diversity.Nine Gaja veeras from Guruvayoor temple is an integral part of the festival.Another attraction is the Vadyamelam.All are invited to Kollam Sri Pisharikavu Temple for the festival from 29th March to 5th April.

Nandakam is the tool handed over by Sri Porkali Bhagavathi to her devotee,pleased by his Prayer.Godess said if you continue to worship this tool your desires will be accomplished.Sri Pishari Kavu Temple was established by Rich Vaishyapramanees who brought the Nandakam from Kollam District of Kerala.This could be the reason for namining this part of Koilandy as Kollam.Eight Vaishya Families stayed near the Bhagavathi.They are the Ooralans of the temple.

People turn up in large number.

Special Points I have noted

People are neetly dressed.They give much respect to aacharas.Women worshipers are greater than men.Poeple want the festival to be conducted neatly with out the consideration of Caste and creed.No Brahmin domination.Families of Ooralans work day night for the successful conduct of the festival.Most of the people behave well.Women are almost free from men domination.