Oushadha Biksha Yatra to Conclude on Sunday After Touring 114 Temples

THODUPUZHA:
After touring 114 temples across Kerala, the “Oushadha Biksha Yatra”, launched by Nellikattu Sreedhareeyam Oushadheswari temple on June 27, will be flagged in at Koothattukulam on Sunday.
The unique road show, carrying the idol of Oushadheswari (Goddess of Wellness) in a decorated vehicle, marks the revival of an ancient tradition of gathering from devotees the basic ingredients for making the special Ayurvedic restorative preparation served in the month of Karkitakam of the Malayalam calendar.
The yatra also sought to invoke divine blessings for universal wellbeing and highlight the holistic approach of Ayurveda. On the penultimate day, the campaign visited Kalamasseri Ganapathi temple, Thripunithura Purnathryeesa temple, Chottanikkara Bhagavathi temple and Anikkad Mahadeva temple.
It then moved on to Kanjiramattom Sree Mahadeva temple, where the campaign was received by devotees led by national vice president of Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam, Shri Ayyappadas. It then rolled on to Thodupuzha for the overnight stay, after receiving ‘biksha’ from Karikkod Bhagavathi temple.
On Sunday morning, the yatra will head to the home temple after accepting the final ‘biksha’ from Thodupuzha Sreekrishna Swamy temple after prayers and rituals. In all the shrines it visited in the length and breadth of the state, devotees had lined up in large numbers to offer ‘thriphala’ and ghee as ‘biksha’ (alms).
It has been a centuries old tradition in Kerala to take specially prepared medicines and follow a strict regimen of simple diet and oil bath during Karkitakam month of Malayalam calendar (broadly July-August ), which will re-energise the body and mind.
‘Oushadha Seva’ month will begin at Nelliakattu Sreedhareeyam Oushadheswari temple at Koothattukulam after the Yatra returns to the home temple. The medicine will be served to the devotees from 6 to 12 in the forenoon and 5 to 7 in the evening on all days, till the season concludes on August 16.
The campaign, which received huge response all over the state, has also highlighted the concepts and approaches of Ayurveda and its contemporary relevance in creating a healthy world. The Yatra, on its return to the temple, will be accorded a rousing reception, followed by dedication of the 14-foot high Oushadheswari idol.