LORD SIVA OF ETTAMANUR

FESTIVALS

ASTHANAMANDAPA DARSAN

The major annual festival falls in the month of Kumbham corresponding to February - March. It is a ten day festival. On the eight day, the festival reaches the pinnacle of festivity, when the Lord is worshipped in a specially decorated Mandapa lying to the north east corner. 

This begins strangely enough at mid night, yet thousands and thousands of Bhaktas coming from far off places participate lustily and offer their mighty mite in cash. The Darshan of the Lord is quite auspicious and it goes by the name of 'asthana mandapa darsana'. It is the most glorious occasion to avail, when the Lord's sports receive due recognition and propagation. Devotees who congregate on this special occasion redeem their vows and offer special prayer services to the Lord to enabling them cross the ocean of Samsara.

Like the Ashtami festival at Vaikom, this is celebrated with due eclat and great piety. The large copper vessel kept in the Mandap overflows with Kanikas offered by the devotees. It is the most propitious time to take vows or redeem. Hence unmanageable crowds.

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]