Offering food to monkeys and fishes has been a daily ritualistic practice at the Oorali Appooppankavu, a sacred grove in the forest fringes of Kallely near Konni where nature is worshipped in its pristine form.
A good number of monkeys take it a point to reach the Appooppankavu unfailingly to take part in the feast aka ‘vaanara-oottu’ offered to them as part of the daily ritual at this place of worship.
Worshipping Hanuman
The temple authorities say the feeding of monkeys is part of worshipping the monkey God, Hanuman.
Appooppankavu is, perhaps, the only place of worship in the State where feeding of monkeys and fishes is very much a part of the daily temple ritual. Jayan Konni, spokesman of the temple committee, told The Hindu that the rituals at the Appooppankavu was typical Dravidian in nature.
The monkeys partake of the feast offered to them in teak leaves with out making any fuss or mischief.
They come in batches to the Appooppankavu by 8.30 a.m. everyday and accept the feast - comprising boiled rice, curry, fried items, plantains and other fruits – served around 9 a.m. at the shrine premises itself.
Key offering
Feeding of monkeys is considered as a key offering at the Appooppankavu. The charge fixed for a `vaanara-oottu’ is ₹501. Mr Jayan said a group of anthropologists have visited the Appooppankavu and conducted a study on the monkeys visiting the shrine on a daily basis, a year ago.