- Velutha Vavu or full moon day (Purnima) – May 30
- Karutha Vavu or Amavasya – May 16 and June 15
- Ekadasi - May 27
- Pradosh - May 28
- Thirunavaya Vaishaka Vavu -
- Ekadasi – June 11
- Pradosham - June 12
- Sabarimala Prathishta Dinam -
- Kottiyoor Ilaneer Vyappu -
Edavam: The Month of Monsoon Awakening in Kerala
Meaning and Calendar Position
Edavam, also known as “Malayalam Edava Masam,” spans roughly from mid-May to mid-June according to the Malayalam calendar. It follows Medam and precedes Mithunam, marking the tenth month in the Kerala solar year. The name “Edavam” is rooted in its association with the lunar asterism Edavam (Ardra), reflecting its place in the celestial sequence.
Cultural and Religious Importance
For Hindus in Kerala, Edavam holds deep cultural resonance. It signals the end of the hot, dry season and heralds the long-awaited arrival of the southwest monsoon. This transitional period is woven into religious life: devotees seek blessings for timely rains, fertile fields, and communal well-being. Temples are adorned, daily worship takes on renewed fervor, and special prayers are offered for agricultural prosperity.
Festivals Observed in Edavam
-
Edavam Thiruvonam: Celebrated at a handful of ancient temples, this festival venerates the presiding deity under the Thiruvonam star, with early-morning rituals, temple processions, and traditional percussion performances.
-
Atham Festival at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple: The day when the moon aligns with the Atham asterism sees elaborate pujas at the famed Trivandrum temple. Priests conduct the “Abhishekam” ritual, followed by the ceremonial hoisting of temple flags.
-
Chandanakudam Rituals: In some northern Kerala shrines, devotees carry pots of sandalwood paste in procession, seeking purification and relief from the impending heat.
-
Local Poorams and Ulsavams: Many village temples hold their annual carnivals in Edavam, featuring caparisoned elephants, traditional music ensembles such as chenda melam, and communal feasts.
Fasting Practices and Devotional Observances
-
Ekadashi Vratham: Twice in the month, on the eleventh lunar day of both waxing and waning phases, devout Hindus observe Ekadashi fasts. Abstaining from grains and certain spices, they focus on spiritual disciplines and temple visits.
-
Ayyappa Wednesdays: Known as “Budhan Vazhipadu,” many pilgrims observe a light fast on Wednesdays in honor of Lord Ayyappa, offering special prayers at local shrines.
-
Amavasya and Pournami: The new-moon and full-moon days of Edavam are marked by oil lamps, water offerings at riversides, and charitable acts, believed to bring ancestral blessings.
Rituals and Temple Customs
-
Pournami Deepam: On the full-moon night, homes and temples light rows of oil lamps on balconies and riverbanks, symbolizing the light that dispels darkness.
-
Tulsi and Bilva Leaf Offerings: Worshippers bring fresh Tulsi (holy basil) and Bilva leaves to sanctified spaces, honoring deities Vishnu and Shiva respectively. These offerings are believed to enhance spiritual merit and invite divine grace.
-
Special Abhishekams: Many temples perform early morning anointing ceremonies of the deity’s idol with sandal paste, holy water, and fragrant oils, accompanied by Vedic chantings.
Agricultural and Climatic Significance
Edavam’s midpoint typically ushers in the southwest monsoon. The gentle first rains revive parched landscapes and inspire new sowing cycles. Farmers begin transplanting paddy saplings in terraced fields, preparing for the main harvest months ahead. The cultural linkage between heavenly patterns and earthly cycles is celebrated through songs, folk dances, and communal gatherings.
Special Days and Local Traditions
-
Uthrittathi Ritual: Falling on the Uthrittathi star, this day sees special reverence to ancestral spirits, with feasts offered in familial gatherings and prayers conducted at ancestral shrines.
-
Rain-Welcoming Ceremonies: Coastal villages perform “Varsha Pujas,” communal rites at beach shrines, seeking protection from storms and blessings for the fishing community.
Community and Artistic Expressions
The festive atmosphere of Edavam spills into art forms. Kathakali troupes perform monsoon-themed episodes, while local folk groups enact boat songs celebrating the returning rains. Traditional bamboo flutes and percussion ensembles accompany ritual dances, evoking the rhythmic patter of raindrops.
Final Thoughts
Edavam in Kerala is more than a calendar month; it is a tapestry of faith, history, and natural rhythms. From temple flags hoisted at dawn to the first raindrops on parched earth, every ritual and festival reaffirms the intimate bond between the divine, the community, and the land. As the monsoon clouds gather mid-month, hearts and fields alike prepare for renewal, making Edavam a season of hope, devotion, and collective celebration.