Poojas & Rituals
The poojas and rituals at Malanada are performed by members of the Kurava community following a tradition influenced by Dravidian culture, maintaining sacred customs passed down through generations.
Sacred Offerings & Traditions
The pooja and rituals at Malanada are performed with a system influenced by Dravidian culture. The worship traditions maintain a close allegiance to nature, agriculture, war, and celebrations. These sacred rituals preserve the ancient spiritual heritage of the temple and its community.
Historically, traditional offerings such as toddy, arrack, and sacrificing live chickens were the favourite offerings to Appooppan. In recent times, many of these forms of offerings have been restricted or banned. However, toddy, being the most favored offering, continues to be presented and is distributed as Theertha to devotees after the pooja ceremonies.
The system of offerings encompasses various sacred items, agricultural produce, and symbolic objects, each carrying deep spiritual significance. After harvesting, agricultural produce like underground stems, banana, plantain, and other local products baked in fire are offered to Devan in a ritual known as Chuttupooja.
Traditional Offerings
Theertha & Toddy
Toddy is the most favored offering to Appooppan. After the pooja ceremonies, it is distributed as sacred Theertha to devotees as a mark of divine blessings and spiritual grace.
Agricultural Offerings
After harvesting, agricultural produce including underground stems, banana, plantain, and local crops are baked in fire and offered to Devan in the ritual known as Chuttupooja.
Sacred Symbols
Various sacred items and symbolic objects such as flags, swords, silk cloths (red), and other ceremonial items are offered, each carrying deep spiritual and cultural significance.
Main Rituals at Malanada
1Adavi Pooja (Chuttupooja)
Performed annually on the first Tuesday night of Vrichikam, this ritual involves the Oorali and Naluveedar offering fire-baked agricultural produce, along with toddy and arrack, to Adavi Daivom at the two platforms behind the main Althara facing Venkulam Ela, in the presence of the Thalikkaran, Kalasakkaran, temple administration committee, and Karakkar, as an expression of gratitude to nature for the harvest and a prayer for continued abundance.
2Muhurthi Pooja
Performed annually on the first Wednesday of Vrischikam, the day after Adavi Pooja, this ritual takes place at Muhurthy Kavu. Before sending one of the Naluveedar along with the Kalasakkaran to Muhurthy Kavu, the Oorali offers prayers and Adukku (Murukkan) at Kaduthamsseriyil Temple. The Naluveedar and Kalasakkaran then carry toddy in a spotted clay pot (Pullikkudam) to Muhurthy Kavu and perform the Pooja, while the others remain at Kaduthamsseriyil Temple.
3Puzhukku Pooja
Performed annually on the first Thursday night of Vrichikam, this agricultural ritual takes place at Vadakkupurathu Temple to propitiate Thampuran. After the harvest, agricultural produce is baked in fire and offered by the Oorali in the presence of all others as an expression of gratitude and reverence for the blessings of nature.
4Aval Pooja
Performed annually on the first Tuesday of Kumbham, this ritual is dedicated to Adavi, with the Oorali offering Aval (beaten rice) in the presence of others.
5Ari Vattichu Pooja
Performed annually on the first Wednesday of Kumbham, this offering is made to Thekkupurathu Thampuran by boiling rice until all the water evaporates; the ritual is also performed on Kodiyettu Day and Maha Malakkuda Day, with the Oorali conducting the pooja in the presence of others.
6Arimavu Pooja
Performed annually on the first Thursday of Kumbham, the Oorali offers pounded rice prepared as a paste to Vadakkupurathu Thampuran in the presence of his traditional associates.
7Kizhakkebhagathu Aval Pooja
Performed annually on the second Tuesday of Kumbham at Kizhakkebhagathu Appooppan Temple, this special pooja is conducted by the Oorali on a large scale in the presence of his traditional associates.
8Pooja at Valliyathu Kottaram
Performed annually on the second Wednesday of Kumbham at Valliyathu Kottaram, this pooja is conducted by the Oorali in the presence of others.
9Pooja at Menakkasseril Kottaram
Performed annually on the second Wednesday of Kumbham at Menakkasseril Kottaram, this pooja is conducted by the Oorali in the presence of others.
10Muhurthy Pooja
Performed annually on the second Thursday of Kumbham, this ritual is conducted at Muhurthy Kavu.
11Adukkala Pooja
Performed at Kaduthamsserry Temple immediately before the commencement of the Malakkuda Maholsavam, this ritual marks the beginning of the festival observances.
12Sankranthy Pooja
Performed annually on Karkadaka Sankranthy at Kaduthamsserry Kottaram, this pooja is conducted by the Oorali in the presence of others.
13Vavu Pooja
Performed annually on Karkadaka Vavu at Kaduthamsserry Kottaram, this pooja marks the first Amavasi of Dakshinayanam, reflecting the traditional lunar calendar followed by the people of Malanada.
14Uthradom Pooja
Performed annually on Uthradom day in the Malayalam month of Chingam, this pooja is conducted by the Oorali at Kaduthamsserry Kottaram.
15Oottu Pooja
Performed on the morning of Kodiyettu Day and Malakkuda Day before the main Althara, this special pooja is dedicated to Duryodhana Devan and involves offerings of Vella Payasam, sweet Payasam, milk, plantains, and tender coconut, with the Oorali conducting the ritual.
16Balikarma Pooja
Performed at night on Malakkuda Day, this ritual commemorates the Bali Tharpana and last rites associated with Kaduthamsserry Moopan, who, according to tradition, was instructed by Duryodhana to perform his final rites if he did not return from the Mahabharatha war by the following Friday.
17Yogappad
Held on Saturday morning at Kaduthamsserry Temple, following the Malakkuda Festival, this traditional gathering features the Oorali distributing paddy seeds, Chakram (traditional currency), and flowers to devotees, with devotees from the coastal regions attending in large numbers.