❧ Avittom Thirunal Mahotsavam ❧
The ten day long annual festival of Thazhuthala Sree Mahaganapathi falls on the Malayalam month of
Makaram (January-February, as per the English calendar). The festival, perhaps the best known in
this part of the world, ends with the much publicised Thazhuthala Gajotsavam on the tenth day, which
happens to be on Avittom nakshathram of the month. Religiously, the festival, utsavam in local
parlance, is held in reverence in the restoration of divine Chaithanya. The utsavam starts with the
hoisting of the festival flag by Tantri, the chief priest.
Culturally, the annual festival consists of various processions, extravagant illumination and
cultural programmes. All throughout the ten days, the entire place wears a festive look, streets get
dressed up with decorative arches and festoons and houses get a fresh coat of painting. Every shrine
and building is tastefully decorated with illuminations and eye-catching electrical and electronic
displays. The ten days long carnival and cultural programs attracts thousands of people every
year.
The festival culminates with Thazhuthala Gajotsavam on tenth day and every year, the same attracts
several thousands of devotees and tourists from across the world.
