Karkidaka Seeveli Ritual at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum in Kerala

Karkidaka Seeveli at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Trivandrum is an annual ritual that is held before the beginning of the Karkidaka Masam as per Malayalam calendar in Kerala. It marks the end of Aanikalabham rituals observed during the period.

During the Karkidaka Seeveli, the utsava murtis of Sri Padmanabha, Narasimha and Sri Krishna are taken around the outer courtyard atop the Garuda Vahana.

The New Indian Express 

The ‘kalabham’ ritual conducted twice a year involves sandal ‘abhishekam’ on the idols of Lord Sree Padmanabha Swamy, Lord Narasimha and Lord Krishna in scented sandal paste. The ritual is conducted in the Malayalam months of Dhanu and Midhunam and the present edition started on July 16.

The ritual, held between 8.30 am and 9.30 am, is open to the public, but ‘darshan’ at the sanctum sanctorum is not allowed during the time.

Led by temple ‘thantri’ Tharananalloor Parameswaran Namboothiri, the ritual begins with a ‘pooja’ on the ‘abhisravana mandapam.’ Later, the ‘abhisheka’ idol of Lord Sree Padmanabha Swamy is taken out to the Ottakalmandapam for the ‘abhishekam.’

The ‘abhishekam’ for Lord Narasimha is held at the sanctum sanctorum itself. A representative of the royal family and of the new administration committee will attend the ritual.