The traditional Kodivalaivu Festival was celebrated the day before yesterday at Vadavanpatti, near Tiruppathur in Sivaganga district.
The festival commenced last Friday at the Sandiveeran Temple in Vadavanpatti, with special prayers and Deepa Aradhana conducted daily.
As part of the unique centuries-old tradition, on Friday midnight, the Sandiveeran oracle (Samiyadi), carrying a sickle in his hand and wearing anklets, walked nearly 20 kilometres to Udanpatti village tank in search of the sacred Kodivalaivu. After locating it, he returned ceremoniously to the Sandiveeran Temple in Vadavanpatti.
On the following evening, a grand Samiyattam (oracle dance) was held. The deities, including Aranmanai Deivam, Sandiveeran, and the accompanying guardian deities, were taken in a procession through the village along with the sacred Kodivalaivu. The villagers jointly carried the procession to the Oorkaavalan Temple located near the village tank, where the Kodivalaivu was ceremonially tied to the banyan tree within the temple premises.
The festival, which has been celebrated for more than 130 years, continues to preserve its traditional customs without change. As part of the continuing festivities, the Eruthukattu (bull-taming) festival is scheduled to be held next week.
A large number of devotees from Vadavanpatti and the surrounding villages participated in the celebrations. The festival arrangements were made by the villagers.