Keeping alive an age-old tradition that is entangled in the misty past of history and legends, Narayanan Bhattathiri, doyen of Mangattu Illam at Kumaranallore, near here, set sail on Friday on his Churulan vallom (boat) carrying offerings to be presented to Lord Parthasarathy, the deity at Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula, on Onam day.
The Churulan vallom will take Mr. Bhattathiri to Kattoor in Pathanamthitta district. From there, he will take the provisions to the temple, to be offered on Onam day, on the Thiruvonathoni. According to legends, the Mangattu family has their roots at Kattoor and had migrated to Kumaranallore at the command of Lord Parthasarathy. However, the special relationship with the Aranmula temple and its deity continued as Aranmulayappan wanted them to serve the sadya on Onam day. This is the 19th time Mr. Bhattathiri is fulfilling his ‘divine appointment.’ Mr. Bhattathiri, accompanied by three oarsmen, will move to Kidangara, near Chaganassery, and from there to Thiruvalla to reach the land of his ancestors, Kattoor. From there, accompanied by representatives of 18 families, he will embark on the Thiruvonathoni carrying provisions for the sadya on Onam day for Lord Parthasaradhy.