Viswanathapuram Temple, located at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur
District, is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya or Muruga. The
annual Sashti festival in Makaram month attracts scores of devotees and lasts for six days. Viswanathapuram Subramanya Swamy Temple sashti festival 2024 dates are February 1 (Kavadi) and February 2 (pooram).
Built in typical traditional Kerala style temple architecture, Diwan
Narayana Menon laid its foundation in 1925 and the temple was built
according to the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru.
The Kavadi festival is held after the Sashti falling on the Purnima day (Velutha Vavu day) in Makara Masam. The Kavadi rituals are held on the day before Sashti. The Pooram festival is held on the Sashti day. The next day is the Arattu festival.
Bhasma Kavadi is held on the night of Kavadi day after Sree Bhootha Bali. Panchavishamthikalabhishekam, Maha Ganapathi Homam,
Mulayidal, Panchagavya Navaklabhishekam, Bhagavati Seva, Malar Naivedyam, Sree
Bhootha Bali are part of the pujas and rituals. The sashti day is also famous for Kazhcha Seeveli Ezhunellippu and pallivetta ezhunellippu.
Melam, traditional Kerala temple music with five
instruments, is performed as part of the ritual. Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged
during the period. The temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut
leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights. A major highlight of the festival is the procession. Colorfully dressed artists, chenda melam, mayilattam, karakattam, aata kavadi, ammankudam etc are part of the procession.