Oushadha Bhiksha Yatra returns home to Koothattukulam after touring 114 temples

KOCHI: After touring 114 temples across Kerala, the Oushadha Bhiksha Yatra on Sunday returned to Nellikattu Oushadheswari temple, Koothattukulam, from where it set out on June 27, on a journey to collect Ayurvedic ingredients and spread the message of wellness.

With the yatra concluding, the preparation of the seasonal medicines began with temple head Nellikkattu Narayanan Namboodiri, ‘tantri’ Puliyannur Sasi Namboodiri, and wife Sreedevi Antharjanam ceremonially igniting the hearth.

The medicine will be served to devotees from 6 am to 12 am and 5 pm to 7 pm on all days, from July 17 till the end of Karkidakam on August 16, based on an ancient Kerala tradition to take specially prepared medicines and follow a strict regimen of diet and oil bath in the month of Karkitakam to re-energise body and mind.

The yatra, with the idol of wellness goddess Oushadheswari was welcomed by people lined up in large numbers to offer ‘triphala’ and ghee, the essential components used in the special restorative preparation.
The Oushadheswari Temple is associated with ayurvedic retreat Sreedhareeyam, run by the Nellikkattu Mana. Marking the completion of the yatra, a 14-foot tall idol of  Oushadheswari was dedicated in the forecourt of the temple by Vasudeva Brahmadananda Theertha of Thrikkaikkattu Swamiyar Mutt.