Boarding a wooden raft, the theyyams (oracles) of the Koyankara Payyakkal Bhagavati Temple set out across the Kavvayi Lake, making their way to the Idayilekkad Kavu to stage a spellbinding performance.

As the oracles in trance, stepped onto the raft, the crowd erupted in roaring chants that echoed across both land and water. This ritual, which re-enacts the mythical journey of the Goddess who is believed to have arrived here on a wooden raft after crossing 108 seas known, is performed on the fourth day of the annual Pattulsavam festival at the Payyakkal Bhagavati Temple.

The water-borne procession to Idayilekkad Kavu, believed to be the original seat of the Goddess, is a symbolic ritual well known for its beauty and dramatic fervour. All key rituals of the festival on its fourth day unfold at the Idayilekkad Kavu. located on the opposite shore.

After the morning ceremonies at the temple, the oracles began their journey, carrying their traditional sword and shield, walking under crimson silk umbrellas accompanied by percussion, attendants, and throngs of devotees. Soon, they offered darshan and marked a sacred stone in the Poochol Padinjare Vayal with turmeric, and as their swords and anklets jingled, crowds surged forward. The procession was accorded a ceremonial reception by the Achara Sthanikal (ritualistic designates) and led to the Kuruvappally Ara.

Soon, the Chathram (idol) of Payyakkal Bhagavati was taken outside the temple premises, while the idol of Ayitti Bhagavati was carried inside. A copper vessel holding the attire and ornaments of the Goddess was presented before the Ayitti Bhagavati.

The Payyakkal Temple shares an inseparable and age-old ritual bond with the Kuruvappally Ara Devaswom. After formal farewells by the designates, both idols and their accompanying processions moved through the western gate towards the Ayitti Kavu.

As dictated by the tradition, the Koottuvaaykkar of the Kuruvappally Ara and their aides blocked the oracles from proceeding to Ayitti Kavu by tying a rope called `Ayyamvalli' near the Ayitti Matta. This move was in line with the folk belief that once the Ayitti Goddess enters the Kavu, she will never return.

Following this, the oracles turned toward the sandbank and once again rushed toward Ayittikkavu. Dancing to the percussion beats, they then boarded a raft made by lashing together two country boats in a trance and crossed the lake in. This re-enactment of the Goddess’s mythical raft-journey sent waves of fervour through the devotees watching from the banks and on the water.

Upon reaching the Idayilekkad Kavu, home to Valayanattu Bhagavati and the Kshetrapalaka (temple guardian), the oracles rendered the traditional Markkalam (wooden raft) song, danced, and circumambulated the shrine. After completing the rituals, they returned via Ayittikkavu and were offered a ceremonial reception by the Achara Sthanikal and devotees at Kuruvappally Ara. The God and Goddess were accorded felicitations by offering the Palli Peedam (holy seats). The procession then made its return journey to the Payyakkal Temple, blessing devotees along the route before re-entering the temple.

The six-day-long Pattulsavam will conclude on Monday with the rituals of Ilaneerattam, Kalathilari, Ezhunellathu and Arangu Parikkal.