Aarattu Festival in Kerala

Introduction about Aarattu: South India is rich in temples. The state of Kerala is no exception. These temples are the center of the large number of exhibitions and festivals. There are many customs and rituals associated with these celebrations. The Aarattu Festival in Kerala is of special relevance at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Description: The Aarattu festival is celebrated in Aarattu Swamy Sree Padmanabha temple at Thiruvananthapuram, where the images are taken for holy bath, accompanied by the head of the royal family of Travancore state. It is indeed a great procession, which impress the devotees with its magnificence. The images are then taken to Shankumugham Beach for the purifying bath in the ocean.
The festival is also celebrated at Sree Krishnaswamy temple at Ambalapuzha with great pomp and show even though it does not match the celebrations held at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. In addition to the traditional holy bath of the idol an important feature of the festival at this temple is Ambalapuzha Palpayasam, a sweet dish offered to the Lord.
Time for celebration: Aarattu festival is celebrated twice a year. It is celebrated once during the months of October-November and again a month from March to April.In both cases, the festival lasts for ten days.

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