ETTUMANUR VALIVILAKKU RITUAL

One evening a few temple officials were standing in front of the west tower whiling away their time in idle gossip. Just then a bell smith approaching them requested in all earnestness to buy the huge brass lamp, he was in possession of, saying to give any amount for his night's meal. It was a superb piece of workmanship and shone brightly. Some irresponsible people, besides giving evasive replies answered that there would be none to supply oil to such a big lamp. Thereupon the seller replied that it being an auspicious one, it might burn without oil, or with water even; and if kept in the temple the devotees might pour oil and see it burning eternally. Alas! he was heckled at. At this moment, all on a sudden a mysterious person rushing from inside took the lamp and disappeared. It was followed by lightning and thunder to the utter stupefication of all, since there were neither black clouds nor strong winds that proceed such ear - splitting thunder and blindening lightning. All happened in a split second, and when calm returned after this unexpected and mysterious phenomenon, to the atonishment of all, the lamp was seen hung up and burning bright with its five wicks and oil to its brim. Where was the seller? Who poured the oil and by whom was it lighted? None could answer. The loquacious men bent their heads and regretted bitterly over their useless talk. From that moment, this celebrated lamp is burning without a single minute's stop, nor the oil is poured by the temple officials from temple income. Attributing this strange occurrence to the god's mysterious hand devotees started pouring oil and so is burning over a three and half a century period. Inscrutable are the ways of God, and infinite are the men who tried and are trying to lift the veil, but success is proving a mirage. Wouldn't devotees listening to this bizarre event, rush to the counter to buy oil for offering?

Location : The temple lies in Ettumanur, accessible by four wheelers from Vaikom, Kerala.

[ Back ] [ Up ]