COVID norms: 'Onavillu offering' for Sree Padmanabhaswamy to be a low key affair this time

The ritualistic ‘Onavillu Samarppanam’ to the deity at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, will be a low key affair this year considering the COVID safety norms. Onavillu or Pallivillu Samarppanam is a ceremonial bow offering made to Sree Padmanabhaswami on Thiruvonam day at the Temple, as a ritual in connection with the Onam festival.

Thiruvananthapuram: Even though the Onam festivities have generally been limited and restricted to a certain extent owing to the COVID spread and safety norms in place, the ritualistic ‘Onavillu Samarppanam’ to the deity at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, will be held without fail.

Onavillu or Pallivillu Samarppanam is a ceremonial bow offering made to Sree Padmanabhaswami on Thiruvonam day at the Temple, as a ritual in connection with the Onam festival. This year, the offering of Onavillu and all the rituals in connection with it will be held without any deviation, though in a low key manner, owing to the high rate of COVID transmission in Thiruvananthapuram and in compliance with the COVID regulations.

Traditionally, the making of the ceremonial bow is done by the ‘Onavillu family members’ of Karamana Melarannoor Vilayil Veettil, who have been temple sculptors for generations. The family holds the right to make of the ceremonial bow and the offering. The family considers the making of Onavillu very divine and do the process while observing austerity and prayers for a 41 day period for the past many years.

Led by R Binukumar, the head of the families involved in the making of Onavillu, all members of the family, the eldest to the youngest, participates in the Onavillu making. Six pairs of bows, depicting the Dashavathara stories of Lord Maha Vishnu are offered to the Sree Padmanabhaswami deity. Usually, the ceremonial offering of the Onavillu is conducted with festive fervour on the day of Thiruvonam. With strict COVID regulations in place owing to the high rate of transmission in the district, the event will be conducted as a low key affair this year.

The work of crafting and making the Onavillu begins in the Malayalam month of Midhunam. The themes of Veerashayanam of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Dashavatharam, Sree Rama’s stories, Sree Krishnaleela, pictures of Sastha and Vinayaga are drawn on the bows in the traditional style. The wood of Manjakkadambu (Cadamba) and Mahagony trees which are said to be divine trees are used to make the bows after converting it into a boat form. Naturally derived colours are used to paint the traditional themes on the bows.

The ritual of Onavillu Samarppanam is considered to be as old as Sree Padmanabhaswami temple itself. The Onavillu offered on the day of Thiruvonam in the Malayalam month of Chingam, is kept in the temple for three days of pooja, after which it will be preserved in the Pooja room of Travancore royal family for a year, until next Onam. For the past 7 generations, this family has been into the making of Onavillu.

Legend has it that when Vamanavathara of Lord Maha Vishnu asked for the third step he had sought, the Asura King of Mahabali offered him his head. As per the myth, at that moment Mahabali sought Vamana to see the Vishwaroopam of Mahavishnu, and the other Avatars, besides letting him come to meet his people once every year.

Later, as requested by Maha Vishnu, Vishwakarma scripted the same. Vishwakarma told his disciples and entrusted them to carry out the same by drawing it and offering to Sree Padmanabhaswamy every year. Onavillu offering made on the day of Thiruvonam with the paintings of these stories on the bows practised even today is said to be a continuation of this direction.

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