Ettumanoor: Temple Traditions and the Ezhara-Ponnana Festival

A cultural landmark in Ettumanoor is the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. It is one of the 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. The temple is the setting for a clearly defined festival tradition during the ten-day Ezhara-Ponnana Festival, including the Ezhara-Ponnana procession and cultural performances. For those looking for a hotel in Ettumanoor, this offers a specific local connection: the temple and festival represent the area's cultural focus, while other attractions belong to the broader destination of Kottayam.

Ezhara-Ponnana and the Festival Schedule

The Ezhara-Ponnana figures represent seven golden elephants, each two feet tall, and an eighth elephant one foot tall. The eighth is therefore half the height of each of the other seven. The procession of the golden Ezhara-Ponnana elephants takes place on the night of the eighth festival day. It features festively adorned elephants and a traditional temple orchestra; cultural performances are also part of the ten-day festival.

The Arattu ceremony takes place on the tenth day of the Thiruvathira star. These two time references should be distinguished: the procession is associated with the night of the eighth festival day, while Arattu takes place on the tenth day of the star. As calendar dates vary, it is advisable to check the dates if you are planning your trip around a specific part of the festival.

Kottayam as a Regional Setting

In the broader destination of Kottayam, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary lies on the banks of Vembanad Lake. It covers 14 acres and is home to 91 native bird species and 50 migratory species. Houseboats and motorboats can be hired for birdwatching trips on the lake. In this regional context, both the sanctuary's biodiversity and birdwatching on the water offer distinct points of interest.

Kottayam's rivers and canals drain into Vembanad Lake, which has developed into a destination for backwater tourism. Traditional Kettuvallam cargo boats have been converted into cruise boats and houseboats. These boats have kitchens, toilets, bathrooms, and seating areas. The history of these converted cargo boats thus complements birdwatching trips with another aspect of water tourism in the broader destination of Kottayam.

Another historical attraction in the broader destination of Kottayam is Poonjar Palace. The 600-year-old palace served as the seat of the Kingdom of Poonjar and was built by the Poonjar Rajas, an ancient dynasty connected to the royal family of Travancore. Built mainly of wood, the structure is characterized by traditional Kerala architecture and royal influences. The palace museum displays antiques, rock-cut lamps, and sculptures from the past.

Kottayam's festival traditions also include the Kumarakom Boat Race, held on the Kavanar and Kottathodu rivers. It is an Onam-season tradition. Around 50 types of boats take part, including Veppu, Ody, and Churulan boats, as well as some snake boats. Unlike the temple festival in Ettumanoor, this event focuses on rivers and different types of boats.

Discover more destinations: Pala, Kanjirappally, Puthuppally, Vazhappally West, Arpookara, Anthiyalam, Thiruvarpu, Anthinad

For the broader travel guide: Kottayam.