Adaikkalam Katha Ambal Kovil and Chevvai Festivals
The main deity of this temple Adaikkalam Katha Ambal, is facing vadakki vasal Karuppar in the north.
Vinayagar, Karuppar, Pathu Raja, Mariamman, and Saptha Kannigal are also present in this temple along with Adaikkalam Katha Ambal.
Chevvai, (the main festival of this temple) is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaigasi every year by Virachilai Oorargal, in a grand manner for 22 days.
Chevvai festival has various processes and phases including Mulaippari, Oyilaattam to name a few.
Mulaippari
It's a process of producing Chevvai Kallu, an alcoholic beverage produced by brewing and the fermentation of starches derived from grains by Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus is prepared for this Chevvai festival in side festival house. These two bacteria are able to grow at 40-45oC, during which they produce lactic acid and various other byproducts that give kallu its unique flavor. After Satharanam, this drink will be diluted and distributed to all by Pandaram.
Oyilattam
Oyilattam is a traditional dance of Tamilians widely seen in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka where people should sing & dance in a unique manner illustrating Arichandra Puranam. This dancing event takes place in front of Chevvai Veedu for a week in the evenings during chevvai festival.
Virachilai People are divided into 10 groups (vagai in Tamil) depending upon the location of their farms.
Each vagai or group will have its own God, but this amman is common for all the groups.
Each vagai or group has to select one girl (should be less than 15 yrs old) to represent them in this festival.
So, totally 10 girls, selected by all the groups will be handed over to Pandaram and will have to live in Chevvai Veedu, a significant festival house for 22 days along with Pandaram, who is in charge of festival house.
Pandaram is a person who directs this festival in front and his main duties are to look after chevvai veedu and these girls.
Goddess amman rides for NagarValam on a chariot every morning and evening for 10 days during this festival.
People must keep all the pooja items in a basket on their respective MANAIs', a speacial flat decorated stone installed in front of every house.
This festival ends on 22 nd day which is called Satharanam.
Oyilattam Picture
Read more about this topic: Virachilai
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