Even though the Hindu worship methods owe their origin to our Vedas and sastras and are therefore expected to be uniform throughout the country, there are variations in the details among the different languages and cultures. Among them, one finds a happy union of two cultures Malayalam and Tamil in the Seetharamaswamy Temple, Pushpagiri during the Sri Rama Navami Festival - lasting 10 days.
To start with, the Utsavamurthi's perambulation is an important part of any festival, which is common to both cultures. So, the Utsava 'Vigraha' of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman are taken around on all the days of the festival. The difference in this temple is the cultural 'marriage'. As per the Kerala style, the Utsavamurthi in the form of ‘Chakra' is round the outer 'prakara', after mounting on a decorated tusker - known as 'Seeveli'. The Tamil style addition to this is the 'Ratha' (Chariot or car) on which is mounted the four days of 'Vigraha' duly decorated and the Ratha is taken round - a form of worship not common in Kerala. Even in the musical accompaniments to this procession, the element of blending is visible - the Panchavadyam (Thimila, Mattala, Thalam, and Kombu and Kuzhal, besides chendai) preceding the Tamil version of Nagaswaram and 'Tavil in the Carnatic Music style.
The festival is heralded by the flag hoisting function, 9 days ahead of Sree Ramanavami. The cherished ambition of all persons living in every corner of the globe is to participate in the function. Some people even time their annual or biennial holiday trip to this event. Attendance at this function symbolises dedicated participation on all the days of the festival.
The daily Puja starts around 5 am. Vedic Scholars of all Vedas are invited for the occasion and recite Vedas daily in the Mandapam. Special Abhishekam and procession within the Prakara follow. After the second Deeparadhana at around 11 am, all the devotees are given a festival meal in the adjoining Uttuppara' (dining hall). Immediately thereafter, special decoration of the ‘Utsava Vigraha’ commences, and some of the residents and boys have developed a fine expertise in this art. Special flowers are ordered for each day and different types of decorations are carried out each day; for instance, the Lord will incarnate as 'Balakrishna' with a butter pot on the 6th day. The normally standing Sree Rama will take the 'Anantha Sayanam' posture on the 7th day! The Utsavamurti of exquisite beauty will shine with redoubled splendour in each of these forms, particularly with the floral and ornamental decorations, to which is added the special lighting effect (carried out by the keen village electrician). On the 7th day, the boys have an extravagant time, when they spray yellow water on all the participants - a mini- ''Holi', which comes around the same time. The entire decoration is carried out by a band of residents - no age bar-including many school-going, enthusiastic boys. The golden chariot is 'Steered' and ‘powered' by these boy commanders. At around 5 pm, the decoration is over, and the Lord with Sree Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman board the chariot. (The time of start may vary on different days). After being taken around the temple prakara, the Lord goes around the streets of Pushpagiri. The 'chakram', mounted on the decorated elephant, accompanies. Each household pays its obeisance to the Lord at their doorstep, with their offerings and a 'Harati'. The boys get some welcome reward for their hard work in this hot season-the fruits, 'Panakam' & ‘Sambaram’ offerings from each house are shared among them. The rear side of the chariot is a covered seat for a free ride by the tiny tots. By the time the Lord returns to the temple, it will be around 11 pm. Then a simple Deeparadhana, with veda and music recital, is conducted, followed by the distribution of hot and sumptuous ‘sundal' and ‘vada' which can easily substitute the dinner. On the day prior to the Sree Rama Navami, three chariots are taken out, and the lord and Sree Sita mounted on Hanuman and Annapakshi' respectively.
The fervour reaches its peak on the Sreerama Navami day. The morning starts with 'para' by the elephants, that is, the devotees get a chance to contribute their share, at their doorstep, in the form of the traditional measure of paddy known as 'para'. The morning procession on the chariot inside the 'Prakara' is accompanied by five decorated elephants and chakram. The full complement of silk umbrellas, peacock feather fans, 'Chamaram', 'Chandai Melam' etc. makes one wonder if it is a mini 'pooram'. Thereafter, elaborate Abhishekas are performed to the main deity and the Utsava 'Vigraha'. By the time the Pujas are over and Deeparadhana is performed, it will be about 2 pm. The Lord then boards the grand car. This car needs special mention. It is a tribute to wood sculpture and also engineering. Even those days the car has been mounted on steel axles, with a proper steering arrangement (which is never found in Tamil Nadu cars - a reason for the Herculean effort required to turn those cars) and even a brake system! The master carpenter has depicted the whole of Ramayana, as also the other Avataras. Even today it is maintained excellently. The temple car starts around 5 pm. Three elephants with their dazzling headgears follow the car, to the accompaniment of ‘panchavadyam’ and Chendai. But the ‘panchavadyam’ groups and the tuskers stop at many points en route and entertain the spellbound onlookers with their thrilling performance, thereby extending the procession to about 4 hours.
The beauty of the car is redoubled by an imaginative lighting system and so, with the Lord in command, the car presents a heavenly sight. It is seen to be believed. By thecal teach me village limit, a brier cracker session ensues, without which no Kerala temple function is complete. By the time the Lord returns to the temple, it will be around midnight. Thereafter the Lord is brought to the Namaskara Mandapam after a quick round of the temple, and a detailed Deeparadhana is done. The last event, namely, the much-awaited ‘prasadam’ distribution will cross into the early hours of the next day - about 1.30 am.
Next day, the Arattu takes place. Bathing the Lord (Chakram) is done in a pond opposite the temple. The boys take this opportunity to jump into the tank in joy - a chance that they only will not get on other days to do so within the enclosure. Then the devotees with the chakram, take rounds of the temple. The next event is the lowering of the temple flag, which is done ceremoniously in the pleasure of the Lord. This is necessarily attended by all the residents of the village, who attended the hoisting.
At night 'Sita Kalyanam' is performed in a religious mode. The 'bride' Sita is exquisitely decorated with special ornaments and flowers. If one observes the details of decoration, he will feel as if a mother or sister of a bride is decorating her for the marriage ‘muhurtham’. All the customary events 'oonjal', Mangalya Dharanam, homam etc. complete with the bride 'Seeru' (sweets etc) finds a place.
The next day, a special ‘abhishekam’ is performed, particularly for Anjaneya Swami. In the evening, after Lord Anjanaya is taken round the temple and the village. The festivities will be on a subdued scale - befitting humility of the Ramadoota – the humility of which he was the incarnation.
A few points are noteworthy in the way the festival is organised. Some basic traits of temple worship in the Hindu culture are truly translated into practice in this temple. One basic tenet of Hinduism is that the whole community should involve itself in the temple functions. Everyone should participate to his ability, both physically and financially; everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord, either in respect of His blessings or in regard to the ‘prasadam’ or feast. Everyone should participate daily. A few features stand out as below
At the end of the festival, the place looks like a marriage which concludes the marriage function. The 'chendai', the Nagaswaram, Veda Ghosham, and the bell of the Big Car in movement - all echo in the villagers' ears, who look forward to the next festival - which is far away. A small reward comes soon - the Vasanthotsavam providing a feast to the ears - in May/June. Concerts by renowned musicians are organised in the temple.
Lastly, a tribute to the Hindu system of temple worship. If one watches the behaviour of the tiny tots and the boys and girls during the festival, he is bound to get a picture of the indelible impression that these errands or revelry will leave in their tender minds. This stump obviously goes deep into the subconscious and transforms into a longing to participate in these festivals time and again. No wonder that when the elders see the Sree Rama Navami invitation in their faraway places their minds will travel to the carefree days when they perhaps started with a joy ride on the Ratha, progressed through the kitchen errands and also then made leaps into the 'Arattu' pond, to the adult routines of the festival. This underlying spirit is perhaps the easy Hindu way to attain godliness in day-to-day life.