Thiru Utsavam

Thiru Utsavam

Thiru Utsavam at Sree Rakthakanta Swamy Temple in Pathanamthitta District is one of the most revered and vibrant annual temple festivals in Kerala. Celebrated with deep devotion and grandeur, this festival attracts thousands of devotees and cultural enthusiasts every year. The highlight of the festival is the Thrikodiyettu which marks the auspicious beginning of the celebrations followed by a series of daily rituals, poojas and spiritual ceremonies performed with traditional precision.

A major attraction of the Thiru Utsavam is the Aarattu procession, where the deity is ceremoniously taken in a grand procession often accompanied by caparisoned elephants, traditional percussion ensembles like Panchari Melam and Pandi Melam, and classical temple art forms. The festival is also enriched with Ottan Thullal performances, Kathakali, devotional music concerts and spiritual discourses making it a unique blend of devotion and culture.

What makes this temple festival truly special is its rare tradition of conducting Aarattu on multiple days and the deity’s unique west facing idol, which holds deep mythological significance. Organized under the guidance of the Travancore Devaswom Board and temple committees, Thiru Utsavam stands as a powerful expression of faith, heritage, and community participation making it a must-experience event among Kerala temple festivals.