Big Turn-Out Marks Tour of Oushadha Biksha Yatra in Kannur

KANNUR:
Devotees turned out in large numbers at Kandothidam Someswari temple, Payyannur as the Oushadha Biksha Yatra of Sreedhareeyam Oushadhewari temple reached the shrine to collect basic ingredients for making the special Ayurvedic preparation, to be served in the month of Karkitakam of Malayalam calendar.
The Yatra also visited temples in Thaliparambu which includes Sree Raja Rajeswara temple, Kapalikulangara Maha Vishnu temple, Trichambaram Sree Krishna temple and Sree Subramanya Swami temple, Payyannur in Kannur district during the day.
Devotees greeted the Yatra and offered ‘thriphala’ and ghee, as befits the tradition, and prayed for the universal wellbeing, in tune with the holistic outlook and ethos of the ancient Indian wellness system.
Hari Namboothiri, Trustee, Sreedhareeyam Oushadheswari temple, said the Yatra has not only helped spread the message of Ayurveda and its benefits but also shed light on different rituals and traditions practised in various temples of the state.
“The knowledge and experiences accruing from this unique venture should be utilized for the wellbeing of the society and that’s our prime focus,” he added.
The Yatra , taken out in a specially designed vehicle fashioned as a chariot with the idol of Goddess of Wellness Oushadheswari installed in it, had set out on June 27 from Sreedhareeyam Oushadheswari temple at Koothattukulam.
The road show’s itinerary includes 114 temples in the length and breadth of the state. It had already visited scores of temples before reaching north Kerala last week.
After receiving alms ( Thriphala and Ghee) from Madhur Sree Madanantheswara Vinayaka temple, Kasaragod, the Yatra will commence its return journey, visiting many more temples en route that includes Kadalayi Sree Krishna Swami temple, Chirakkal, Kalarivathukkal Bhagavahi temple and Parasinikkadavu Muthappan temple in the Kannur district.
It has been an age-old tradition in Kerala to take specially prepared medicines and follow a strict regimen of simple diets and oil bath in the month of Karkitakam (broadly July-August ), to re-energise 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 among the people.
‘Oushadha Seva’ starts once the Yatra returns to Koothatukulam Oushadheswari temple.