Aluva Shivratri is the main festival of the
Aluva Shiva Temple. It is held on the banks of
Periyar River, locally known as Aluva Manalpuram, at
Aluva. This festival is one of the most popular and spectacular local festivals of
Kerala, which attracts thousands of people from all over the country.
Shivratri is celebrated in such a grand scale in Aluva like that of Ashtami at Vaikom and Pooram at
Thrissur. It falls on the full moon in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February - March). During the festival, nightlong reading of the Puranas and other holy texts are conducted in the temple. The festivities also include various cultural programs such as dances and shows. These are conducted in order to make the people remain awake during night.
Merchants exhibit every kind of merchandise for sale during the festival. In addition to the observance of Shivratri rites, most of the pilgrims offer Vavubali (sacrifice) to their ancestors in the morning succeeding the holy night. People belonging to all classes, castes and creeds assemble for this festival.
Daily fair is also organized for a month from the Shivratri day. Ezhunnallathu of the deity atop a caparisoned elephant, known as Dikvijayam, is conducted on the third and fourth days and pallivetta ceremony on the fifth day. The festival concludes with the Arattu known as Thapotsavam.
