Thiruvonathoni sets sail from Kattoor

Thiruvonathoni, the temple vessel carrying provisions for the Onam feast to be held at the Sree Parthasarathy temple in Aranmula on Friday, set off from the Maha Vishnu temple ghats on the Pampa at Kattoor on Thursday evening.

Led by Anoop Narayana Bhattathiri, a member of the Mangattu Illam at Kumaranallur, the vessel began its journey from Kattoor by 6.30 p.m. As is being the custom, the provisions for the feast were offered by the 18 Nair families in the village.

Enroute to the temple, the boat would be given reception at Ayroor and Vechoor Mana at Melukara. The Thiruvonathoni will reach the Aranmula temple ghats by Friday morning. The feast will be prepared at the temple kitchen and served to the devotees at the temple dining hall.

Legend has it that the deity at the temple made one of the elders of the Kattoor Madhom, in Pathanamthitta, to be his host every Onam owing to his devoutness. Since then, it has been the privilege of the eldest of the Bhattathiris at the Mangattu Illam to host the ‘Onasadya’ for the deity.