Mangattu Bhattathiri sets off for Aranmula to escort Thiruvonathoni

UPHOLDING the tradition, Anoop Narayana Bhattathiri, the eldest member of the Mangattu Illam in Kumaranallur, embarked on a ceremonial journey on Tuesday to present the traditional Onam offerings (Onasadya) to the Aranmula deity, Lord Parthasarathi.

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This sacred ritual has been carried out for centuries by the senior heads of the Mangattu family.

For Anoop Bhattathiri, this is his second voyage in this role. Following tradition, Bhattathiri has begun his ritualistic voyage three days before Onam, starting from the Mangattu Illam bathing ghat on the Meenachil river. He travels on a wooden canoe (churulan vallam) provided by the Aranmula Palliyoda Sevasangam.