Kollam, October 11, 2013: The traditional ‘urul nercha’ festival of the Ashtamudi Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple near here will be held from October 11 to 13. The urul nercha is a ritual in which thousands of devotees take part during the three days.

Standing on the banks of the Kallada River’s confluence with the Ashtamudi Lake, the temple is only one in south India with Veerabhadra Swamy as the presiding deity.

The rituals start at 6 a.m. on Friday and concludes at 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Farm fair

A traditional farm mela is also conducted in the vicinity of the temple during the festival period. It is at this mela that the biggest number of grapefruits is traded in the State. Huge quantities of the fruit are brought from all over the State and devotees arriving make it a point to purchase some and take it home as an offering from the temple.

KSRTC special

The KSRTC will be operating special services to the temple from Attingal, Kottarakara, Kollam, Kundara, Chathannur and Karunagapally.

Boat service

There will also be special boat services to the temple. Various cultural programmes will also be held in connection with the festival.

Source: The Hindu, October 11, 2013