KANNUR:
Oushadha Biksha Yatra, which has received tremendous response from people across the state since it began on June 27 from Koothattukulam, will reach the northern district Kannur by Sunday evening.
The first stop-over of the road show in the district will be Sree Mridangasaileswary temple, near Muzhakkunnu, where it is scheduled to reach at 5 pm and then move on to Mattannur Sree Mahadeva temple and Mamanikkunnu Sree Mahadevi temple, Irikkur. Oushadha Biksha Yatra is the first of its kind outreach organised by Nelliakkattu Sreedhareeyam Oushadheswari temple of Koothattukulam to tour 114 temples across the state to collect medicines and herbs as alms.
So far, it has covered the central and southern districts of Kerala, drawing big crowds in all the temples it touched. Before journeying to Kannur, the campaign will touch major temples in Kozhikode district including Thali Mahashiva Temple, Thali Sree Mahaganapthi Balasubrahmanya temple, Sreekanteswaram temple, Sree Pisharikavu temple and Lokanarkavu.
In all places, devotees lined up well in advance of the arrival of the chariot, a specially designed vehicle carrying the idol of Goddess of Wellness Oushadheswari, with ‘Thriphala’ and ghee to be offered as ‘biksha’ (alms) and offering prayers for a healthy society.
On Monday, the Yatra will travel further north touching Sree Raja Rajeswara temple, Kapalikulangara Maha Vishnu temple, Trichambaram Sree Krishna temple, Sree Subramanya Swami temple and Kandothidam Sree Someswari temple. For centuries, Kerala has been following a tradition of taking specially prepared medicines and following a strict regimen of simple diet and oil bath in the month of Karkitakam (broadly July-August ), to re-energise body and the 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. ‘OushadhaSeva’ starts once the Yatra returns to Koothatukulam Oushadheswari temple.
