Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam, Udappu

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasbapathipillai

“Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds” ~Buddha Quotes (Hindu Prince Gauthama Siddhartha, The Founder of Buddhism, 563-483B.C)

Much awaited annual fire walking of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam’s was held on 5th of August 2009 at night. It was a windy day in Udappu throughout the day.

“Goddess Thiraupathai Amman is here to bless us” said some villagers referring to the unusual wind. The fire walking fell on a full moon day, which is a rare occasion according to the villagers of Udappu.

Since it was a public holiday in Sri Lanka more devotees attended the ceremony.2,000 male devotees participated in the annual fire walking of 2009. The annual festival began on 18th of July 2009. Te annual festival of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam is also known as “Aadi Vizha Mahotsavam”.

Udappu is situated in between Chilaw and Puttlam, 150kilometers away from Colombo. This small village falls under North-Western Province. It is a fishing village, which has 15,000 people as its population. Udappu is situated 6 kilometers off Colombo-Puttlam main road. Small sandy road leads to the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam.

The Kopuram or the main tower of the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam is visible from this small sandy road. The Kopuram or main tower of of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam is being built, which is currently covered with cadjan leaves. Udappu is a very calm and quiet village. People quickly appear from nowhere to take part in the festival and disappear at the same speed.

This particular village has a deep sense of tradition and rituals. The people of Udappu believe and follow the epic Mahabharatham. The epic Mahabharatham is read during the annual festival, and certain parts of Mahabharatham is performed as a form of drama or dance to make the people understand it better.

There are five elements in Hinduism. They are known as “Impootham” or five elements, which are earth, water, fire, sky and air. According to Vedas, God exists in these five primary elements. Animals, birds and human beings need all these five elements to live.

Muthiah Paranthaman Poosagar dances around the fire pit while carrying a hot clay pot of Moola Thee or the First Fire. He is the Chief Priest of Sri Veerapaththirakaali Amman Temple in Udappu, which is situated a few kilometers away from the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam. He comes and stays near the of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam during it’s annual festival time, which lasts for 18 days.

He heads the main ceremony throughout these 18 days. Muthiah Paranthaaman Poosagar also takes part in singing Bajans along with the other devotees and recites the Mahabharatham. He does not come from a Brahmin family, but it has been a tradition that non-Brahmin, Pandaaram carries out certain rituals in Udappu. They do not wear “Poo Nool” which is a white colour thread blessed and worn from shoulder to hip like the usual Brahmin priest.

Some of the Pandaaram performs poojas and other religious rituals.

The preparation for the fire pit begins a before the fire walking with several rituals being carried out. At dawn of the fire walking day, special pooja is held in the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam and the Moola Thee or the First Fire is brought while the sun rises to the fire pit and kept there. As soon as this ritual is over, men rush to the logs of Tamarind wood, and bring them on their shoulders, and arrange them in the fire pit.

30 Tractor loads of Tamarind wood was brought for this years’ fire walking according to the President of the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam Shakthivel Malarchelvan. Many bottles of pure Ghee is poured into the pit and between the logs to spread the fire equally. Pure Ghee is poured till the fire is set to orange colour. The men keep watching the fire pit and adjust the firewood accordingly. With the sunset the men begin to take the unburnt logs away. Water is continuously poured on the men who are very close to the fire. Men began to make the bed of fire ready for walking. The bed of fire was ready at 8.30pm after many hours of hard work.

A special pooja was performed by the Chief Priest of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam Brahmasri Pathma Jeyaram Kurukkal. The deities were decorated with fresh flowers and kept in the Vasantha Mandapam or ceremonial hall. The deities of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi , Lord Vinayagar, Lord Murugan, and Goddess Thiraupathathevi were taken on a colorful procession inside and outside the temple. All the deities are kept in a row in front of the fire pit at the main entrance of the temple. Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam was kept open throughout the festival days.

Devotees both men and women keep chanting “Arohara”, “Govintha” and “Narayana” during every ritual is performed. The traditional drums such as Thavil and Nathaswaram continue to play. The devotees observe fast and have only vegetarian meals during the festival time. It’s a tradition to sit on the ground to watch the rituals.

A silver pot of Karagam was taken from the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam to the Sri Maha Muththu Maariyamman Devasthaanam in Aandimunai, and brought back by Muthiah Paranthaaman Poosagar. He dances while carrying the Karagam on his head. He straight away walks on the bed of fire followed by the rest of the devotees.

Devotees chant “Arohara” when the men walk across the fire. They encourage the rest of the devotees to chant the same. Some devotees carry their children on their heads or shoulder, while crossing the fire. They believe that they walk on a stretch of hair belongs to Goddess Thiraupathathevi. The ceremony is popularly known as “Poo Mithippu” or flower walking. Devotees stayed in the compound of the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam after the fire walking till late night.

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"Udappu ~ fishing village"- a welcome board at the beginning of the road to Udappu

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Nallavairan Sellamurugan purifies the fire pit area with Saffron water at dawn of the fire walking day

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Fresh Lotus flowers were brought from Chilaw for the festival

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Lotus flowers are arranged on the four edges of the fire pit

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Lotus flowers are arranged on the four edges of the fire pit

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Nallavairan Sellamurugan (65) has been involved in preparing the pit for fire walking for more than 35 years

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An Effigy which is made of straw and dried coconut leaves is kept in the temple

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An Effigy which is made of straw and dried coconut leaves is kept in the temple

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An effigy is being pulled to chase away the ill evils

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An effigy is being pulled to chase away the ill evils

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A devotee is seen sprinkling petals of Lotus flower

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The fire pit is filled with Lotus petals

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Pooja is being performed in front of the Kodi Thambam

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Muthiah Paranthaman lights the first fire from the Thoondaamani lamp which is lit in the Moolasthaanam throughout the annual festival for 18 days

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The Moola Thee or the first fire is mixed with sacrificial fire

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Lord Vinayagar, Lord Murugan, Goddess Thiraupathai Amman and Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy are seated in Vasantha Mandapam or ceremonial hall

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Devotees at dawn

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Devotees at dawn

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The Moola Thee or the First Fire is being brought to the fire pit by the Chief Priest of the Sri VeeraPaththirakaali Amman Temple in Udappu Muthiah Paranthaman

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The Moola Thee or the First Fire is being brought to the fire pit by the Chief Priest of the Sri VeeraPaththirakaali Amman Temple in Udappu Muthiah Paranthaman

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A clay pot of Moola Thee or The First Fire is kept in the fire pit at 6.15am

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A clay pot of Moola Thee or The First Fire is kept in the fire pit at 6.15am

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Pure Ghee and small wood sticks are placed first on the Moola Thee

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Pure Ghee and small wood sticks are placed first on the Moola Thee

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Children and men are seen carrying Tamarind logs to the fire pit

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Children and men are seen carrying Tamarind logs to the fire pit

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Fire spreads as the sun rises in Udappu

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Fire spreads as the sun rises in Udappu

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Saffron water is showered to the Tamarind logs

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Fire spreads through the Tamarind logs

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Lord Pillaiyar is decorated with Sandalwood, Vermilion and Holy Ash for fire walking day

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Vel is decorated with Sandalwood, vermilion and Holy Ash for the fire walking day

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Moolasthaana Moorthigal- Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi are decorated with Sandalwood, Vermilion and Holy Ash for fire walking day

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Goddess Thiraupathathevi in Moolasthaanam is decorated with Sandalwood, vermilion and Holy Ash for the fire walking day

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Deities in Moolasthaanam are decorated with Sandalwood, vermilion and Holy Ash for the fire walking day

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Garudaalvaar is decorated with Sandalwood, vermilion and Holy Ash for the fire walking day

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Anjaneyar is decorated with sandalwood, Vermilion and Holy Ash for the special occasion of fire walking

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Santhaanagopaalar is decorated with sandalwood, Vermilion and Holy Ash for the special occasion of fire walking

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Sooriyan is decorated with Sandalwood, Vermilion and Holy Ash for the special occasion of fire walking

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Palipeedam is decorated with Sandalwood, Vermilion and Holy Ash for fire walking day

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A kid runs with a bottle of Ghee to the temple

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The Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam was decorated for the festival

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Ardent admirers of Bajans

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A view of the Church and Mosque, which are in the vicinity

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Devotees queue up with trays of flowers, fruits, coconut and incense sticks to perform Archchanai

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Devotees queue up with trays of flowers, fruits, coconut and incense sticks to perform Archchanai

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Songs related to Mahabharatham are being sung at dawn

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First flag inside the temple, which was hoisted on 19th of July 2009 at night

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Devotees throng the temple throughout the day

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Muthiah Paranthaaman Poosagar sings Bajans

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Nanthi Kodi, which symbolises devotion flies in the vicinity

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Lord Vinayagar and Lord Murugan are beautifully decorated and kept in the Vasantha Mandapam in the morning

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Goddess Thiraupathathevi is elegantly decorated and kept in the Vasantha Mandapam in the morning

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The deities of of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy charmingly decorated and kept in the Vasantha Mandapam in the morning

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Special pooja was conducted by the Chief Priest of the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam Brahmasri Pathma Jeyaram Kurukkal

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Maayaandi Saambasivam (67) has been singing and playing Udukku for 30 years for Goddess Thiraupathathevi

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Beautifully carved sculptures depicting Ramayanam are placed on the Southern side of the small Kopuram of the Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam

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A view of the fire pit in the morning

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A volunteer of Brahmakumari Rajayoga Nilaiyam explains the importance of spiritual life to some devotees

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Paandavar flag or flag for the five Princes was hoisted on 23rd of July 2009 at night. This flag is kept outside the temple

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Traditional decorations in the temple

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Traditional decorations in the temple

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Traditional decorations in the temple

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Traditional decorations in the temple

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Mother and child in the temple compound

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Karagam is being arranged

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Karagam has 11 flags, and five kilograms of Par boiled Red rice inside the Silver pot

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A view of the fire pit in the afternoon

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A special pooja is being conducted at the Vasantha Mandapam

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Deities are taken on a procession

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Lord Vinayagar and Lord Murugan are being taken on a procession around the temple

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Idols of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy are being taken on a procession

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Goddess Thiraupathathevi is being taken on a procession around the temple

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Goddess Thiraupathathevi is being taken on a procession around the temple

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Men carry the deities on their shoulders and dance merrily around the temple

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Men carry the deities on their shoulders and dance merrily around the temple

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Devotees follow the procession

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Men begin to make the bed of fire

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Men begin to make the bed of fire

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Enormous hard work is being put together to make the bed of fire

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Enormous hard work is being put together to make the bed of fire

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Enormous hard work is being put together to make the bed of fire

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Sunset in Udappu

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Deities Vinayagar and Murugan are seated on a divine vehicle Mouse

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Traditional lamps lead the procession

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Goddess Thiraupathathevi is seated in front of the fire pit

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Idols of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy are kept on a divine vehicle snake

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Full moon in Udappu

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Cranes in an agri field of Udappu

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Traditional musical instruments such as Thavil and Nathaswaram add colour to the ceremony

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Devotees are seated around the fire pit to watch the fire walking

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75B
Devotees are seated around the fire pit to watch the fire walking

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Devotees are seated around the fire pit to watch the fire walking

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Feet of Thiraupathai Amman are tied together during the annaul festival, and they are unbound when she is placed outside the temple in front of the main entrance to witness her devotees walk on the fire

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78A
Blowing wind made the task of making the bed of fire difficult. It took longer hours than previous years

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78B
Blowing wind made the task of making the bed of fire difficult. It took longer hours than previous years

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Sulaku is used to keep the fire even

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Male devotees walk on the fire while chanting.

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The fire pit is 11' long, 5 ' width and 2' depth

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Every devotee carries a lime in his palm while crossing the fire

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Lime is thrown by the devotees into the fire pit. It symbolises the success of the festival

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Salt is also thrown into the fire pit by the devotees. Water is not used to control the fire after the fire walking

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Stalls for the festival

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Sounds of Udappu Aug 4 - 5, 2009



Bell tolls on Aug 4



Drums Aug 4



Udappu priest ~ Aug 4



Udappu Rituals ~ Aug 4



P. Susheela on PA !~ Guruvayoor song ~ Hear the winds at Udappu shore



Bell on Aug 5



Udappu Fire Pit ~ Hear the fire, wind & devotees



Udappu - Thevaram Aug 5



Udappu Thavil ~ Aug 5