Nurani

Nurani is the village which is considered to be one among the biggest in Palakkad district of Kerala state in India comprises Tamil Brahmins. This village is more than 150 years old. A large group of Brahmins fearing the persecutions of the Tanjavur Maharaj (Tanjavur is now a district headquarters in Tamil Nadu the neighbouring state), fled the kingdom and moved over to different parts of Kerala and one such community was formed in Nurani. The village deity - The PURNA PUSHKALAMBA SAMETHA - SRI HARIHARA PUTRA SWAMI is revered by all the community members from within the district and the state of Kerala. Its merits are known throughout the different cities and the songs sung during the annual SASTHA PREETHI is now the anthem for most of the AYYAPPA poojas in various cities in India and abroad.

Nurani hosts the famous Thulasiamman Pooja and Sasthapreethi festivals every year. Nurani Sastha Preethi is considered to be the premier annual celebration at the village Sastha temple. Apart from the temple, the annual Ratholsavam (chariot carriage drawn through the streets of the village with the aid of an elephant), the famous Chada Chadayam a delicacy made out of coconut milk and jaggery are the other features. The Satha Preethi festival falls either at the end of the month of December or the beginning of January. Following in the footsteps of the Nurani village, different cities also host the Nurani Sastha Preethi wherein they follow similar rituals and even the food served as prasamdam at the end of festivities match with that served in Nurani Village.