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The Ashtami Festival
The annual festival of the temple and the most important event of the year-is Ashtami in
the month of Vrischikam as mentioned earlier. It is a 13-day festival, the main event,
Ashtami being on the 12th day and arattu or the holy bath for the eity, on the 13th.
In fact, the Vaikom Ashtami is considered so auspicious that it is observed throughout
Kerala with special poojas to Vaikathappan.
At the temple on each of the 13 days there are special Programs, poojas and rites,
elephant processions, "public feeding, music, dance and other entertainment’s.
Thousands from the neighborhood attend these functions.
The celebration reaches its peak on, Ashtami The early morning darshan-the time when Siva
Parvati pave darshan to Vyaghrapada under the peepal tree-the feast at noon and the
procession at night from Udayanapuram are the salient features.
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