ETTUMANUR VALIVILAKKU RITUAL

Temples, the citadels of Vedic culture and cradles of civilizations introduced the burning of light before the performance of ritualistic worship to that effulgent Parabrahma abiding in a wide range of manifestations under multitudinous names.  For the total benefit of entire creation, Akhanda Jyothi aaraadhana, worship of inextinguishable light was introduced by the sageseers. Hoary shrines enjoying the perennial inflow of funds are installing the akanda jyothi in the innermost parts and are offering ritualistic worship as enjoined in the scriptures. Certain temples have included it in the list of sevas and are enabling the devotees offer puja on payment of prescribed fee. Burning of thousands of brass lights around the Sri Koil at Guruvayur is deemed a commendable tradition and servarthis are performing this kainkarya with unbounded spiritual andour. The bliss it confers is incalculable and is testified by the great demand for it, though the fee charged is too high touching a four digit figure. In some temples burning a gargantuan light yearly once is luring lakhs of devotees and it is topping the list of sevas. The Karthika Deepam in Tiruvannamalai temple is a major event in the temple calender and it has a sacrosanct background.  Nowhere in India such tradition is observed since the inception of deepaaraadhana - worshipping light. But this is an annual feature.

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