THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The procession of idols as part of the Navaratri festival from Padmanabhapuram Palace in Thuckalay, Kanyakumari district, to Thiruvananthapuram will commence on October 12th.
The Munnoottinanga idol from Sthanumalayan Temple, Suchindram, will arrive on the morning of the 11th to take part in the procession. This procession of the Munnoottinanga Goddess, starting from Suchindram in Kanyakumari, marks the beginning of the music and dance season. From that point on, the city buzzes with cultural programs at every venue.
After a three-day journey, the idol procession will reach Thiruvananthapuram on the evening of the 14th. The idol of Saraswathi Devi will be worshipped on the morning of the 15th at the Navaratri Mandapam in Padmatheerthakkara.
The Pooja ceremony is the only time each year when the heritage structure adjacent to the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple opens to the public for listening to music recitals in the evenings and worship during specific daytime hours. The idol of Saraswathi, believed to have been worshipped by Swathi Thirunal, is placed in the Mandapam, adorned with fresh flowers, lime, and betel nuts.
This tradition, spanning over 100 years, comes alive each year during Navaratri. A procession that winds its way from the Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and a music festival, also with a century-old legacy, are just two of the attractions during the festival. It’s a time when the legacy of erstwhile Travancore becomes evident in many places throughout the district.
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