Theru Festival of Arulmigu Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil, Matale
BY RICHARD Basnayake
ARULMIGU Sri Muthumari Amman Hindu Kovil situated about a kilometre
to the far north end of Matale town celebrated the annual 'Theru'
festival this year on February 23 - Navam Full Moon Poya Day.
At the height of the festival |
This kovil was established about 200 years ago by the Hindu community
specially the South Indian traders who did business around Matale town
and tea estates.
The history of this kovil records that a cute little child was seen
at the present premises of this kovil and on the following day, a
beautiful dress was found in the premises which the cute little child
wore.
On the same day, at night Goddess Pattini had appeared in a dream of
one Nallamuttu, and the Goddess Pattini had told Nallamuttu the child
who was seen at the premises was Goddess Pattini and had requested
Nallamuttu to make this premises a holy place for Hindus. Since then
this place became a Hindu kovil.
In the month of February the annual 'Theru' festival is held to evoke
the blessings of gods and specially Goddess Pattini.
The early morning 'poojas' start at dawn with the hoisting of the
flag. The morning 'poojas' go on till about noon. The evening 'poojas'
start at six and continue till mid-night. Thousands of devotees flock to
this kovil to offer 'poojas'.
The 'Theru' carts or the chariot ceremony is held on the 25th day
which usually falls on a full moon day. The statues of Lord Murugan,
Sivan Ambal, Shri Ganeshan, Shandeshulary and Goddess Pattini are kept
in five beautifully illuminated and decorated chariots drawn by
devotees, both Hindus and Buddhists, are taken along the streets in the
day time.
The feeble and the sick who cannot visit the kovil to offer 'poojas'
are believed to be visited by Goddess Pattini at their door-step.
Long ago before the chariots were made the statues of gods were taken
around the kovil premises on the shoulders of the devotees.
Later the Hindus with the help of Buddhists, Muslims and Christians
collected funds to build a chariot to take Goddess Pattini around the
streets. Later three more chariots were added now there are five
chariots.
This year the 'Theru month' started on January 31 with the 'kap'
planting ceremony. During the holy month devotees from all parts of Sri
Lanka and South India come to this kovil to offer 'poojas' and get the
blessings.
The Hindus and Buddhists in the town decorate their houses and shops
with traditional decorations like banana and arecanut plants, mango
leaves and 'gokkola'.
T. Marimuttu Chettiyar, president, Kovil Management Board said that
to conduct these holy rituals of this festival, highly educated
religious dignitaries have been appointed by the board and a religious
ceremonies are being conducted according to the Hindu traditions and
age-old customs. Every event is done according to the auspicious time.
Taking the five 'Theru' carts out of the kovil premises to parade
along the streets and bringing them back to the kovil are regarded as
highly religious and sacred ritualistic performances.
The Kovil Management Board has almost completed the 108 feet high
'Raja Koburum' which lies on the northern entrance known as 'Vadakku
Veli Veedi' which will lead to 'Mulasthanam', where Goddess Pattini is.
This 'Theru' festival of Muthumari Amman Kovil in Matale is a symbol
of unity among Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians. |