The Navaratri procession to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is an age-old tradition that has its roots in the Travancore royal family’s customs and symbolizes the deep cultural and religious ties between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The procession, which marks the beginning of the Navaratri festivities, is a vibrant and ceremonial event where idols of deities are carried in a grand manner, reflecting the regal heritage of Travancore. The Saraswati idol was carried atop an elephant, Kumaraswami on a silver horse and Munnoottinanka on a palanquin. The procession reached the temple in Thiruvananthapuram last Thursday this month for the 9 long day festivities.
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| old image. Idols reach from Thevarakkettu,TN to Kerala capital onmanorama.com |
Idols in the Procession:
Goddess Saraswati: The idol of Goddess Saraswati, representing the embodiment of knowledge and arts, is brought from the Thevarakkettu of the historic Padmanabhapuram Palace, once the capital of the Travancore Kingdom.
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| .old image. Idols start journey to Kerala from Tamil Nadu.thehindu.com |
Kumaraswami: The idol of Kumaraswami from the Velimala Temple is associated with Lord Murugan, who is revered for his valor and strength.
Munnoottinanka: This deity is brought from the Sucheendram Temple, which is known for its unique triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and symbolizes the protection and benevolence of the divine.
Mode of Transport:
The Saraswati idol was carried atop an elephant, which is a symbol of royalty and grandeur.
Kumaraswami was placed on a silver horse, signifying agility and valor.
Munnoottinanka was borne on a traditional palanquin, symbolizing devotion and reverence.
Receptions along the Route: The procession was welcomed with great reverence and elaborate receptions at several points:
Nemom: The Revenue Department extended a formal reception.
Karamana: Special poojas were performed at the Avadi Amman Kovil.
Killippalam: The reception, supported by the Union Ministry of Tourism, was attended by dignitaries including the Puducherry Lieutenant Governor and Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi.
Other receptions were organized at Aryasala, Chalai, East Fort, and Kottakkakam, showing the people's reverence and the ceremonial grandeur of the event.
Arrival at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
The climax of the procession is marked by the arrival at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple complex. Moolam Tirunal Rama Varma, the head of the erstwhile Travancore royal family, received the ceremonial sword from the Kanyakumari Devaswom manager, a ritual that underscores the historical continuity of the Travancore royal family's role in the Navaratri celebrations.
Placement of Idols:
The idol of Goddess Saraswati and the ceremonial sword were enshrined at the Saraswati Mandapam, where special worship will be offered during the festival.
Kumaraswami was placed at the Aryasala Devi Temple, and Munnoottinanka at the Chenthitta Bhagavathy Temple, signifying the dispersion of divine blessings across different parts of the city.
Cultural Events: The Navaratri Trust, supported by the Union Ministry of Culture, will host various cultural events at the Sree Maha Ganapathy Bhajanamadam at Valiyasala gramam, emphasizing the confluence of spirituality and art that is characteristic of the Navaratri celebrations.
Historical Context:
The tradition of bringing these idols from Tamil the 300 old wooden palace of the erstwhile Travancore rulers, Tamil Nadu (close to the state line) to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple dates back to the era of the reign of Travancore Dynasty, who were ardent devotees of these deities. The ritual no doubt, highlights the religious syncretism and the shared cultural heritage of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Padmanabhapuram Palace, where the procession begins, was the original seat of power for the Travancore royals before the capital was shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. The Navaratri festival has always been an occasion where the royalty would display their devotion and reaffirm their patronage to the temples and culture of the region. Many Carnatic music singers of Tamil Nadu Like late Semmangudi, Ariyakudi, M.D. Ramanathan were exponent of Swathi Thirunal classical songs composed by the former ruler.
The tradition continues to this day, with the participation of the present royal family and prominent cultural and political figures, maintaining the sanctity and grandeur of this ancient custom.
https://tvmbala.blogspot.com/2017/09/colorful-navratri-festival-in-trivandrum.html
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/10/navaratri-festival-at-travancore.html
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/10/navaratri-festival-at-travancore.html
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