Thiruvullakkavu Sreedharmasastha Temple all decked up for Vijayadasami

Thrissur: More than 10,000 kids will be introduced to the world of letters at Thiruvullakkavu Sreedharmasastha Temple here on Vijayadasami which falls on Tuesday. The temple with sastha as its prime deity is one of the two temples in the state famous for the ‘ezhuthiniruthu’ ceremony, the other temple being Dakshina Mookambika Temple in Panachikkadu in Kottayam. Even though the temple does not have a Saraswathi idol, the presence of the goddess of knowledge and wisdom is believed to be here during Navarathri celebrations.

“Navarathi Celebrations in the temple began on October 2 and for the first time in the history of the fest, a quiz competition on Hindu mythology was held on October 5. An all Kerala ‘aksharaslogam’ competition was held in the temple for both children and seniors on Saturday,” Secretary of the temple devaswom A A Kumaran told DC. He added that nearly one lakh devotees were expected on Vijayadasami day.

Special poojas and ‘ezhuthiniruthal’ ceremony will begin at 4 a.m. at the Saraswathi Mandapam of the temple on Tuesday. The ceremony conducted by 50 acharyas will end by 2 p.m. and will again be held for one hour in the evening. Hundreds of students on Sunday evening brought their books to the temple for pooja and after the ‘adachu pooja’ on Monday, the books will be taken back home on Tuesday morning.

Officials of the temple devaswom told DC that from all across Kerala and even from other states people had arrived at Perumbillissery here to make children write their first letter ‘Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namaha’ in praise of Lord Ganesha on Tuesday. Special prasadam made of ayurvedic ingredients, which is believed to enhance the intellectual capacity of children, will be distributed at the temple on Tuesday. There will be 100 policemen and 150 volunteers to control the huge rush of devotees.