: The annual 'Ayilya Mahotsavam' at Kerala's famous Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple,known for its unique worship of serpent gods and which has the distinction of having a woman as chief priestess, will commence on Monday.
The festival will conclude on the 'Ayilyam' (Malayalam star) day on November 4.
The festival will get underway with a Maha Deepakazcha on Monday evening, according to a release here.
On the next day, a mass feast has been organised from 11 AM to 2 PM at a specially erected pandal at a compound near to the temple.
The 'Uchapooja' (noon pooja) done by the chief priestess, Uma Devi Antharajanam or Mannarasala Amma in front of the Sarpayakshi and Nagaraja temples will take place from 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM.
This is one of the important rituals conducted by Amma during the Ayilyam festival.
On Ayilyam day, the temple opens for 'Nirmalyadarasanam' at 3.30 AM. Special poojas will start from six in the morning that will be administered by the male head of Mannarasala lllam and he will lead the Nagakkalam rituals.
Amma will give special darsan to her devotees from 8 AM to 12.30 PM that will be followed by a mass feast for devotees.
The revered Ayilyam Ezhunallathu led by the Mannarassala Amma who will carry the Nagaraja thirumukham and Nagaphanam from the temple to the Mannarasaal Illam will take place between 1.30 and 2.30 in the afternoon.
Ayilyam festival ends when the chief male priest conducts another unique ritual 'Thattil Noorumpalum' at Illam in the evening.
