Althara or Aalthara

Aalthara means peepal tree platform. In most of the temples, peepal trees with platform built around them are very common.

Aanayottam

Aanayottam means elephant race. Aanayottam at Pidikkaparambu (part of Peruvanam – Arattupuzha pooram) is special because here the elephants with deities on their back participate in race. So it is considered as race among gods/godesses.

Aarattu

End of Ulsavam is marked with Aarattu. If it is pooram, then the Aarattu is held as a ritual from Purapad day  to Pooram day. The Thidambu (idol) of the god or goddess is worshipped under the guidance of the Tantri and the Thidambu is immersed in a body of water (it can be a temple pond, a river or the sea). In the Peruvanam-Aarattupuzha Poorams, the Aarattu is only for godesses and the god  Triprayar Thevar. Wherever Aaratu takes place during Peruvanam- Arattupuzha pooram season, devotees are also allowed to have holy dip along with the gods and goddesses.

Balikkallu

A balikallu is a flat stone placed at prescribed spot in a temple where offerings are placed for deities or daemons. It is also said to play an important role in the deity’s energy. Offerings called havis are poured on these during Sreebhoothabali. The Valiya Balikallu or the principal altar stone is placed outside the Nalambalam, in front of the Srikovil. There are small ballikallu inside and outside the Nalambalam.

Brahmanippattu

Brahmani pattu is a type of devotional song performed by women of the Nambeesan caste, or Brahmanis, in Kerala. It is held at temples dedicated to Bhagavathy. The deity is placed on a decorated stool. a tray of offerings is placed on an Aavanappalaka, a traditional seat for rituals. Coconuts, betel leaves, arecanut and traditional lamps are arranged in a square formed by dried rice in front of a peedom (pedestal). This offering is called the Mada. They then sing devotional songs to the rhythm of the beating of bronze plates. They sing songs praising the goddess, and songs seeking blessings from her. During Peruvanam – Arattupuzha pooam, Brahmanippattu is held at many participating Bhagavathy temples on Uthram day.

Deeparadhana

Deeparadhana is the act of worshiping a deity with a lamp, or deepam. It is usually performed towards the end of a pooja, after other types of homage. Deepam means lamp and Aradhana refers to worship. Thus Deeparadhana refers to god worship through a lit lamp.

Gopuram

Towers which mark the entrance to the temple grounds enclosed by high walls all around. In large temples there will be four gates connected by the boundary wall. The Gopuram is seen only in temples which exhibit the Dravidian influence on the architecture whereas in other temples it is replaced with a Padipura. (  from Temple architecture of Kerala by Samuel D)

Idakkapradhakshinam

The pooram rituals inside the temple compound starts with Vilakkacharam (one pradhakshinam). Keli Kuzhal pattu and Kombu pattu to follow. After all these, pradhakshinam with melam. Then astapadi or Kottipadi seva. Then Idakkapradhakshinam – the procession circumambulate the temple accompanied by instumental and musical orchestra using Idaykka, Thimila, Kombu, Kurumkuzhal and Ilathalam.

Irakki ezhunnellippu

The act of lowering the idol of a god or goddess from the back of an elephant during occasions like pooram and ulsavam, is  called ‘Irakki ezhunnellippu’.

Irakkipooja

During Pooram or Ulsavam festivals, the deity or goddess is taken on an elephant procession and taken to the Thantri’s Illam (Illam means home), the Urayma people’s house, and other temples. The idol lowered from the elephant back and taken inside the Illam or temple and worship is performed. This is the Irakkipooja.

Kandam

A plot or division of paddy field covered all the sides with small embankments.

Kayatti ezhunnellippu

The act of lifting the idol of a god or goddess onto the back of  an elephant for taking out procession during Pooram, Ulsavam etc is called ‘Kayatti Ezhunnellippu’.

Keli

Keli is an instrumental art form which is performed in temples in Kerala during festivals like Ulsavam, Pooram etc. Chenda (Idanthala), Madhalam and Ilathalam are the instruments used in Keli. Towards the end of keli, Valanthala chenda also used. Duration can be 20 minutes to more than an hour.

Kodikkal para

It is nothing but paranirakkal at the bottom of the Kodimaram (flagpole) which can be  permanent or temporary (erected at the start of festivals). Usually Kodikkal para takes place at the end of Ulsavam or Pooram.

Kodikuth

Kodikuth is the last ritual of pooram in most of the temples. The flag which is hoisted at the beginning of the pooram or ulsavam is lowered and removed. After that the elephant pushes down the flagpole and carries it to a stipulated area inside the temple compound.

Kodiyettam or Kodikayattam

It is the process of hoisting the flag to proclaim the start of festival.

Kodimaram nattal

Some of the temples, participating in pooram or ulsavam, may not have permanent Kodimaram ( flagpole). In those temples temporary Kodimaram is eracted (usually Areca palm tree). The process is called Kodimaram Nattal.  At the end of festival, the kodimaram is removed.

Kombu pattu

Kombu pattu is a form of traditional temple music practised in Kerala. The main instrument is Kombu which is a wind instrument. More than one artist is required for Kombu pattu. The leader plays a pattern and the chorus repeats the same. Accompanying instrument is Ilathalam (Cymbal). The duration can be 5 minutes to one hour.

Koottiezhunnellippu

If two or more deities together take part in the procession then it is called Koottiezhunnellippu.

Kshetrapalakan

In Hindu belief, a kshetrapalakan is a deity that protects a sacred space, consecrated land, or farmland. Kshetrapalakan can also refer to a local guardian deity that is often worshipped in connection with a temple. The word “kshetra” literally means “region”. In Hindu mythology, a kshetra is a holy location where a temple or a collection of temples, its tank, and deities exist.

Kuzhal pattu

Kuzhal pattu is a form of traditional temple music practised in the Indian state of Kerala. It centers on the use of the kuzhal, a double reed wind instrument, and is typically performed at temple festivals. n kuzhal pattu, the kuzhal plays the lead with the support of several accompanying instruments, which may include chenda (both treble and bass), ilathalam, A Kuzhal Pattu typically starts with the lead kuzhal essaying an alapanam to establish a raga. The other instruments may join in as the kuzhal pattu progresses through several ragas and compositions. The span of the musical form ranges from five minutes to an hour, with an average length of 30 minutes.

Melam

Melam is percussion using Chenda, Ilathalam, Kombu and Kurumkuzhal. Two types of Chenda, Idanthala and Valanthala, are used. Panchari, Pandi, Chaembada, Adantha, Anchadantha and Druvam are different types of melam.

Navakam

Navakam is nine urns filled with  holy water where filing is done with chanting of mantras. The idol is anointed with Navakam  during Ulsavam and Poorams. It is believed that this Navakam increases the vitality of  the gods and goddesses.

Nalambalam or Chuttambalam

Corridors or pillared halls that run all around the srikovil and the mantapam, and used for several purposes. The nalambalam is divided into cells, rooms and halls for storing articles of daily consumption in the temple, for cooking of the nivedyam or food served to the god, for Brahmins to sit for prayer in seclusion etc. (from Temple architecture of Kerala by Samuel D)

Nalikeramudakkal

It means ‘breaking the coconut’. This is done as an offering to the god

Namaskkaramandapam

This is a square raised platform in front of the Srikovil (Sanctum Sanctorum) which is used by the Brahmins to offer prayers and perform their namaskarams. During pooram, the guest deities are often placed in Namaskkaramandapam for Irakkiezhunnellippu.

Nilapaduthara

It is a raised platform where the leader of a particular event, during pooram rituals, stands and will have Upacharam with other participants. Also sometimes the host deity waits on Nilapaduthara until the guest deity arrives.

Nivedyam

Nivedyam is a Sanskrit word that means “offering to God” or “sacred food”. It is a tradition in Hinduism where freshly prepared food is offered to deities as an expression of gratitude, love, and surrender. The food is offered before eating it as part of a worship ritual.

Paani

The Paani is an instrument that marks the beginning of ceremonies such as the procession in Hindu temples. The Paani is like a proclamation for all the Nitya Shiveli, Sree Bhoot Bali, and Utsava Bali. It is also said that the Paani is played to summon the spirits of the deity. There are different types of Paani depending on the deity and the seriousness and importance of the ritual being performed. Cheriya  Paani (Cheriya means small) is used for daily ceremonies. Conch, chengila, and thimila are used for Cheriya Paani. Valiya Paani (Valiya means large) is played for rare ceremonies and some festive ceremonies. A wooden instrument, similar to Madhalam, called Maram is used for Valiya Paani. Conch and chengila are also required.

Pakal pooram

Pakal pooam in nothing but the pooram (procession) that takes place during day time.

Parayeduppu or Paranirakkal

Para Nirakkal is a traditional Kerala custom of offering paddy to a deity during an annual festival. The paddy represents the goddess Lakshmi, and the offering is believed to bring prosperity and fame to the offerer and their family. Para is a traditional measuring unit used in Kerala households to measure paddy.  Nirapara means a para filled with paddy, rice etc,  used for auspicious occasions, such as Hindu weddings, Onam, and other festivals.

During pooram  festival in most of the places, the deity of the god or godess, carried on the back of elephant, visits the neighboring places, temples, manas etc and receives offering from devotees in the form of Paranirakkal. Para filled with paddy (Nelpara) is the common one. Also rice (Aripara), jaggery, sugar, flattened rice, banana, flowers, turmeric etc are used to fill para.

Pradhakshinam

Pradhakshinam means circumambulation. Usually in Hindu temples pradhakshinam is done in clockwise direction.

Patini sankh

It is a ritual followed by many gods/goddesses during pooram festivals especially in Peruvanam- Arattupuzha pooram. Usualli it is held either at the beginning or end of the procession. Members of the Urayma family sit in a semicircle listening to the blow of conch. At every third blow of conch, they clap their hands. The conch is blown 9 times and clapping is done three times.

Punyaham

It is a cleansing ritual practiced in Hindu temples before any auspicious day or festivals like pooram or Ulsavam. It is also held after the festivals in temples. Inside and outside of  the temple is cleaned and the holy water blessed with Punyaha manthra, is sprinkled on the Main deity, the Sub deities and the spots    which are significant to temple.

Purathekku ezhunnellippu

It is taking out procession of the deity.

Sreebhootbali

Sreebhootbali is a ritual in which offerings are made to the Bhoothagana (Bhootagana refers to a powerful army of supernatural beings or spirits. These beings represent fierce divine forces in the cosmic battle against chaos and evil. of a god or goddess.) Sree Bhootbali is performed on occasions related to Pooram orUlsavam. It is performed to appease the Bhoothagana  before the procession of god or goddess begins.

Sreekovil or Sreelakam

Sreekovil means Sanctum sanctorum.

Upacharam

After the Pooram, the host god or goddess offers Upacharm to the other gods and goddesses who participated in the Pooram. The elephants, who carry the idols of the gods/goddesses, stand facing each other and raise their trunks in greeting. This is the Upacharam. In some cases, Upacharam is also performed to invite another god or goddess to the Pooram that is going to be held in his temple. on some occasions,  Upacharam is held to say ‘good bye’ when all the ceremonies are over and to make a  promise of meeting next year.

Vilakkacharam

This is a ritual art. After the Sree Bhootbali, before the procession , if the temple has an east-facing nave, a Nilavilakku ( lighted bell metal traditional lamp) is placed in the south-east corner, and if it has a west-facing nave, the Nilavilakku is placed in north-west corner. Three or four Chenda and an Ilathalam (cymbal) are used. While performing Vilakkacharam, the artists stand in two rows, facing in opposite directions. Only valanthala is used to perform this ritual.  A pradakshinam is performed by playing the five stages in trupuda taal and ends pradhakshinam in trupuda itself. Three or four chendas and an Ilathalam (cymbal) are used. Kombu and Kuzhal are required for the pradakshinam.