ETTUMANUR VALIVILAKKU RITUAL

As you enter through the main gate, you come to Balikapura, where you see an unusually large size Valivilakku - a celebrated lamp burning bright with five wicks. Normally every devotee offers prayers first to this, as it is associated with divine connections. And it came to this spot under circumstances that impel instant genuflexions. It is, as the word goes round was installed in 1545 A.D. and is burning since then without a minute's break. Of the many kinds of offerings to the temple, pouring of oil with rituals is one and it is given top importance. And it is so big that it contains nearly 3 liters of oil. As every visitor invariably worships it with oil offering, it is seen always overflowing! The excess is collected in vessels. Miraculously the quantity that is preserved is quite adequate for burning all the lamps on festive occasions, requiring scores and scores of tons, in addition to daily use. How grand! It springs another surprise. The soot collected on the cover of this lamp cures eye diseases. Hence the craze for collection. It is believed that the worshipping this lamp with vows releases the victims of the evil spirits from their grip. That is the power of the holy lamp and its awe-some background. Now for details.

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