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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Cracow Indological Studies: Paḷḷivēṭṭa, or the ‘Royal Hunt’, in Prescriptive Literature and in Present-day Practice in Kerala

Paḷḷi-vēṭṭa refers to the “royal hunt” as part of the “great annual festival” (mahotsava).—Festivals (utsava) are an important feature of Indian temple culture. [...] Kerala, a state in the south-west region of India, is well known for its temple festivals. The ritual manuals produced in Kerala also describe such festivals, and it is common knowledge that the temples in Kerala, perform a ‘great annual festival’ (mahotsava) that usually goes on for ten days. During this festival, several rituals are performed and among these, on the ninth day, a ritual called Paḷḷi-vēṭṭa (in local vernacular Malayalam) or ‘royal hunt’, known in some texts of other regions as mṛgayā, is performed with pomp and ceremony.

The “royal hunt ceremony” (paḷḷivēṭṭa) takes places before the “ceremonial bath”.—The Kuḻikkāṭṭupacca describes the grāmabali as a ritual to be performed on the day before the ārāṭṭu (ceremonial bath), which takes place after the ‘royal hunt’ (paḷḷivēṭṭa): on the eve of the ārāṭṭu, once the śrībhūtabali (the bali that is offered on the days of festival inside the temple complex) has been performed, the deity should be brought out of the temple (for grāmabali and paḷḷivēṭṭa). When the Lord comes out through the temple gate (gopura) for the paḷḷivēṭṭa (royal hunt), bali must be offered on both sides of the entrance while the mūla is recited, as well as at the roots of auspicious trees, such as aśva .

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

India history and geography

Source: Heidelberg: Glory of the Tiruvanantapuram Padmanabhasvami Temple

Paḷḷiveṭṭa refers to the “hunting procession” as part of the festivals explained in the eighth and ninth chapters of the Syānandūrapuravarṇana-prabandha by Svāti-Tirunāḷ (1813-1846) (one of the rulers of Travancore) which deals with the different activities of the Thiruvananthapuram Temple, including ceremonies and festivals.—Chapter eight and nine of the Syānadūrapuravarṇana are devoted to a detailed account of the procession held on the tenth day, which progresses towards the seashore for a holy dip, and the rituals related to the holy dip as we see today are explained: Similar to the Paḷḷiveṭṭa, in the evening, after the routine inner rounds, the procession moves out through the west gate. The male members of the royal family are arrayed with swords and shields, to accompany the procession. An elephant carrying the drum heads the procession and as in the Paḷḷiveṭṭa (hunting procession) others join in.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vetta, Palli.

Starts with: Pallivettai.

Full-text: Mrigaya, Utsava, Hunting.

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