Kochi, 01 March (H.S.): The famed Makom Thozhal ritual at the Chottanikkara Devi Temple will be held on Monday, drawing thousands of devotees, especially women, to one of Kerala’s most revered shrines.

The rituals will begin at 5.30 a.m. with the ceremonial Aarattu (holy bath) at Onakkoor Chira, followed by the traditional Makom Ezhunnallippu procession. From 1 p.m., the temple premises will resonate with the rhythmic beats of a grand Pandimelam led by Chottanikkara Muraleedhara Marar and his team. The much-awaited Makom Thozhal will commence at 2 p.m. and continue until 9.30 p.m.

Makom Thozhal is considered highly auspicious, particularly for women. Devotees believe that offering prayers on this day blesses married women with long marital life (Deergha Sumangali), helps unmarried women find suitable alliances, and removes various obstacles and afflictions. The deity, adorned in full regalia and decorated with a golden orb, is believed to shower blessings upon devotees with her raised right hand during the ritual.

In view of the large turnout expected, the temple authorities have put in place stringent security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the rituals and effective crowd management.

The celebrations will continue on Tuesday, observed as Pooram. The day will begin at 5.30 a.m. with Parayk Ezhunnallippu, followed by Aarattu at 9 a.m. In the evening, at 7.30 p.m., a procession will move to the Valia Keezhkavu Temple. By 8 p.m., the Pooram procession from Kuzhiyattu Shiva Temple will join Bhagavathy and Sasthavu at Valia Keezhkavu. Later, at 9.30 p.m., processions from Onakkoor Chira Bhagavathy, Thuluvan Kulangara Vishnu, Edatt Bhagavathy, and Karthakkattu Bhagavathy temples will reach the western entrance of the main temple.

At 11 p.m., a grand combined procession of seven deities — including Melkavu Bhagavathy, Akathe Sasthavu and Kuzhiyattu Shiva — will take place.

On Wednesday, marked as Uthram Aarattu, rituals will begin at 5 a.m. with Aarattu Bali, followed by a ceremonial procession to the Muriyamangalam Narasimha Temple for the sacred bath. After the Aarattu and concluding rites, another combined procession will be held.

The annual festival will conclude on Thursday night at Keezhkavu with the traditional Atham Valia Guruthi.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman