Oushadha Biksha Yatra to Reach Thrissur on Wednesday

THRISSUR:
The Oushadha Biksha Yatra, an extensive campaign organised by Nelliakkattu Sreedhareeyam Oushadheswari temple of Koothattukulam to tour 114 temples across the state to collect medicines and herbs as alms, will reach Thrissur on Wednesday.
The devotees can offer ‘Biksha’ (alms) when the chariot, a specially designed vehicle, reaches the district carrying the idol of Goddess Oushadeshwari. Devotees can offer Thriphala and Ghee as alms. After visiting the temples in the Ernakulam district, the Yatra will reach Ollur Thaikkattussery Durga Bhagavathy temple at 5 pm. After visiting Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna temple and Paramekkavu Bhagvathi temple, the Yatra will reach Vadakkunnathan temple by 7 pm.
It has been a centuries old tradition in Kerala to take specially prepared medicines and follow a strict regimen of simple diets and oil baths in the month of Karkitakam (broadly July-August ), which will re-energise the body and mind. Medicines, herbs and other ingredients collected during the campaign from around the state would go into the making of the special ‘Karkitaka” medicine package, which will be distributed to the people.
The temple has also organised ‘Oushadha Ponkala” on August 6, a ritual seeking divine blessings for the wellness of the society as a whole.
‘Oushadha Seva’ starts once the Yatra returns to Koothatukulam Oushadheswari temple.