KOCHI: The Oushadha Biksha Yatra of the Nelliakkattu Sreedhareeyam Oushadheswari temple of Koothattukulam, set to cover 114 temples across the state seeking divine blessings for a healthy society, will be touring temples in Ernakulam district on July 3. The yatra revives the centuries-old practice of collecting from people the ingredients for making a restorative Ayurvedic medicinal preparation consumed in the month of ‘Karkitakam’ in the Malayalam calendar to re-energise mind and body.
The vehicle, modelled as a chariot, started on its journey on June 27, and has visited several temples in the southern districts. K V Thomas MLA and other distinguished personalities will turn up to receive the yatra and make symbolic offering of medicines, as befits the tradition.The yatra will enter the district after a stopover in various temples in Alappuzha district, including Kanichukulangara Devi temple, Thiruvizha Mahadeva temple, Cherthala Karthiyayani temple and Thuravoor Mahadeva temple.
In Ernakulam, the first destination of the campaign will be Edakochi Sree Krishnaswamy temple and roll on to Veliyil Sree Bhavaneeswari temple and Azhakiyakavu temple before winding up the day’s tour at Ernakulam Mahadeva temple by evening.The yatra has evoked an overwhelming response, with devotees thronging to offer ‘alms’ in the form of Thriphala and ghee. Devotees will be served the medicine after poojas and rituals at the Oushadheswari temple from the first day of the month of Karkitakam, which falls on July 17.
The yatra has been planned in two stretches, with the first leg of it touring south Kerala, covering 28 temples. The second leg will start from Thiruvananthapuram and go up to Neeleswaram in Kasargode district and conclude on July 15.
