Shabarimala `Ayyappa Vrithadhari Swamis` find an alternate Shri. Shasthara Sannidi at Ubrangala temple for removal of `Maala`, as they are not able to proceed to Shabarimala this season

A group of Ayyappa `Vrithadhari Swamis`, who otherwise were to proceed to the Shabarimala Sannidhanam ended up in the Ubrangala Shri Mahadeva Parvathi Shri Shasthara temple on 15th March, 2020 at 7 AM for removal of the the `Maala`. This was necessitated by the temporary closure of Shabarimala shrine for the public by the Kerala Government as a precautionary public health measure for the prevention of spread of the dreaded Corona virus (COVID -19) - which has been declared as a Pandemic by WHO. Devotees from far & near are coming to the Ubrangala temple for this purpose - when they are not able to visit Shabarimala for any reason - to have darshan of Lord Ayyappa (Shri Shasthara) here, with a vow to visit Shabarimala at a later season. Last year also many groups had visited Ubrangala temple for Maala removal in the Ayyappa sannidi here as the Shabarimala shrine was cut-off from the rest of the world in one of the worst floods that ravaged Kerala state. Devotees later proceed to the `Moolasthanam` of Shri Shasthara (about a Km from the temple) located in a hillock, in the midst of `Bana` (wooded forest), known by the name `Katnooji`. Temple priest offers Pooja in Katnooji sannidhi everyday, after the temple Pooja.

Centuries-old Ubrangala temple has a title of `Badagu Shabarimale` (In Kannada: Badagu = North), as per the local folklore. The temple is situated at an elevated platform amidst lush greenery of areca farms, coconut trees & paddy fields. One has to ascend 18 steps to get into the inner `prangana` and have darshan of Deities in the temple. During the annual 4 day festival - which goes by the name `Paatu` ( = `divine song` in Malayalam), the main festivities for the first 3 days are dedicated for Shri. Ayyappa, who is considered as `Gramaadhipati` or ruler of the village. Beautiful large-scale rangoli drawings of Shri Shasthara, using colors made by powdered leaves & vegetables are drawn by the traditional `Theyyampadis` from Kerala on the south-east gopuram (Paatambalam) - each day in a different pose (standing tall on day 1, on a white horse-back on day 2 and riding a tiger on day 3. After the sword of Shri Ayyappa, with the Deepam is brought from the Shri Shathara Gudi to the gopuram and placed at the head-end of the drawing, the Theyyampadi sings praising the Lord (Paatu) in a characteristic Malayalam tone with the accompaniement of a traditional wooden violin-like instrument and `taalam`. Then, the priest performs the Pooja. The sword and the Deepam are taken back to the Shri Shasthara Gudi. On the 4th day of annual festival, the morning function is called `Kalothlari` (`Ari` = Rice, in Malayalam) where people collect a fistful of rice as prasadam from the Gramaadhipati - which they put in their granaries, praying for good harvest and plentiful grains in the subsequent season.

Whenever Vishnumurthy `Bhoothakola` takes place in the Malabar area of Kerala state or in Tulunadu, the `Bhootha` (Daivam) calls out in Malayalam for `Orangalathe Shasthavinde Mantravaadi` (Custodian of Orangula / Ubrangala - Shasthavu deity) - highlighting the importance given to the Ubrangala Shri Shasthara in the Northern Kerala`s folklore and Dhaarmik traditions.