Reciting of epic Ramayana and special prayers marked the beginning of the annual 'Ramayana month' in Kerala on Tuesday, even as major political parties had dropped plans to observe the month of rituals.
Temples and traditional Hindu houses in the southern state reverberated with the chanting of holy verses of the epic in the morning, ushering 'Karkkidakam,' the last month in the Malayalam calendar.
Elders would chant verses from Adhyatma Ramayana, authored by medieval devotional poet Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, in the next 30 days in front of lighted nilavilakku (traditional lamps).
Besides temples, various cultural organisations also arranged Ramayana parayanam (recital) across the state.
Aanayootu, a mass feast for elephants, prepared as per ayurvedic tradition, was also held in many temples.
Unlike previous years, the 'Ramayana month' has assumed significance this year after 'Sanskrti Sangh', a pro-left outfit and 'Vichar Vibhag', a Congress-led cultural organisation, had announced their plans to observe the period to counter the attempt to "hijack" the epic by the BJP-RSS.
Though a section of media reported that CPI(M) was sponsoring the programmes of the 'Sanskrti Sangh', the party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had said the outfit was an independent one and the left party had no plans to observe Ramayana month.
Sanskrit Sangh leaders said they would conduct seminars and debates across the state on Ramayana in the coming days.
The Vichar Vibhag' recently decided to drop its plan to hold month-long programmes to mark the 'Ramayana month,' following protests and criticism from a section of leaders of the Congress party.
As part of its programmes, Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor was scheduled to deliver a lecture on the topic 'Ramayana is ours'.
Extending support to Vichar Vibhag move, Tharoor told reporters here on Tuesday that he would have attended the programme and there was nothing wrong in organising such initiatives.
"I would have taken part in the Vichar Vibhag's initiative if it was organised," he said.
The former Union minister also said there were no differences in his party to fight the "communal fascist" agendas of BJP.
"My party is united in fighting the communal fascist agendas of BJP. The difference is only regarding the strategies," he said.
'Karkitakam,' is the lean season ahead of 'Chingam' that ushers in Malayalis' most colourful festival of 'Onam.'
An age-old tradition of savouring the Karkidaka kanji' a spicy mix of rice and medicinal herbs, remains intact among a few families even now.
Hindu devotees undertake pilgrimage to the four temples of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna respectively, located in the Kottayam and Thrissur districts during the period.
This ritual is known as Nalambalam Darshanam.
As part of Aanayootu, freshly bathed elephants were fed a special feed made of sugarcane, rice, ghee, coconut, jaggery and Ayurvedic medicines.
This is also the period when elephants in the state, especially those belonging to Guruvayoor Sri Krishna temple undergo sukha chikilsa (ayurvedic revitalisation treatment) of body wraps, special diets and herbal tonics.