Trikarthika Utsavam, celebrated in the month of
Vrischikam (November-December), is a major festival of
Kumaranalloor Devi Temple in
Kottayam District.
On the day of the festival nivedyam (offering) is made in the precincts of the Udayanapuram and Thrissur Vadakkunnathan temples. Legend has it that the Gods in these two temples were greatly charmed by the beauty of the Devi returning after her Karthika bath. They came out of the temples, got over the compound walls, and stood looking amorously at the seductive figure of the passing Devi, and the temple priest who ran hastily in search of the Gods, finally met them on the walls at the southern end of the temples. From that day onwards, during Karthika, puja is performed over the walls of these temples.
The display of lights in the evening, called Karthika Vilakku, is the highlight of this celebration.
