Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, Feb 28: A centuries-old temple in Panayal village near Bekal witnessed a rare and symbolic gesture of communal harmony as a community iftar was held in its courtyard during the reconsecration festivities. Nearly 200 people gathered and shared the meal at the Sree Poobanam Kuzhi Temple at Thachangad on Thursday as part of the six-day Brahmakalashotsavam held to mark the renovation and reconsecration of the temple’s deities, which concluded on Friday, February 27.
Local Youth Congress leader Sajjad Mavval said the moment was unprecedented for the village, noting that the temple had stood for centuries but such an event had never been witnessed by their forefathers. He said that gathering in the sacred courtyard and sharing a meal before the sanctum felt like a rare blessing and described the village as an emblem of communal harmony.
Formally known as the Aravath Mattenganam Kazhakam Sree Poobanam Kuzhi Temple, the temple had been dedicated to Chooliyar Bhagavathi and Movankuzhi Chamundi, and also housed shrines to Trikanand Appan (Shiva) and Vishnu. Legend had it that Trikanand Appan sought a place beside the Goddess and shot an arrow (‘banam’ in Malayalam) that landed at the present location, from which Poobanam derived its name.
From February 22 to 27, the temple had hosted celebrations that blended rituals, cultural events, and community outreach. An all-faith conference held on Thursday morning had set the tone for the inclusive celebrations. By evening, the freshly paved 3,000 sq ft tiled courtyard had transformed into a space for shared fasting and fellowship, where fasting Muslims broke their fast under the glow of temple lamps.
Chandran V, chairman of the temple’s programme committee, stated that the gesture had reflected the village’s long-standing tradition of mutual respect. As part of the reconsecration, 23 processions from 15 regional units had carried farm produce and groceries in traditional procession to the temple kitchen, ensuring that annadanam was served twice daily throughout the festival. Around eight of these processions had passed through Muslim-majority areas, where residents had welcomed them with snacks and sherbet despite observing the Ramadan fast.
The festival had also featured several social initiatives. A blood donation camp had attracted 75 donors, while an agriculture seminar had honoured 15 farmers from each of the 15 regional units. A mothers’ meet had been organised to felicitate 150 women above the age of 75, including 77-year-old Ayishumma, a neighbour of the temple, who had been accorded special honour.
The renovation works had been largely sponsored by the Poobanam UAE Committee, comprising expatriates from the village, including support for the Trikanand Appan shrine. Nearly 250 members had returned to their native place to take part in the celebrations and were actively involved in hosting the iftar.
Guests had been welcomed by Poobanam UAE Committee president K Ashokan Pathikkal and secretary Arun Kumar Aravath. Among those who attended the iftar were former Congress president Hakkeem Kunnil, Shukkoor Kolikkara, Palakkunnu Temple administrative committee president Adv K Balakrishnan, secretary Jayanandan, Bara Mahavishnu Temple president Balakrishnan Nair, and M Samaj Babu.
The festival had concluded on Friday with Ganapathi Homam, Maha Pooja, and the final consecration rituals, while the enduring image for many remained that of neighbours from different communities sitting shoulder to shoulder in the temple courtyard, reinforcing social harmony alongside the reconsecration of the deity.