Kalamezhuthu

Kalamezhuthu is a significant ceremony at Sabarimala, particularly associated with the Makaravilakku festival. This ritual takes place at the Manimandapam, which is considered Lord Ayyappa's original residence in Malikappuram. The Kalamezhuthu ritual inside the Manimandapam spans five days, beginning from the day of Makara Sankrama. Each day's kalam (design of three-dimensional figures of deities on the floor with colour powders) represents a different phase of Lord Ayyappa's life, and together, they depict the baby’s  journey towards godhead.

On the first day, the kalam portrays Ayyappa as a child. The second day features Ayyappa as the heroic archer. By the third day, the representative of the Pandalam Raja arrives from Pamba to the Sannidhanam, and Ayyappa is depicted as a prince. This representative resides in the Rajamandapam adjacent to the Manimandapam. On the fourth day, Ayyappa is depicted as riding a tiger. After the Kalamezhuthu on these four days, there is a ceremonial ascension of Ayyappa from the Manimandapam to the Pathinettampadi (18 steps).

On the fifth day, Kalamezhuthu presents Thiruvabharanam as Vibhushita Shastava. Following this, Ezhunnallath (the procession) and athazha pooja are conducted. On this final day, the Ezhunnallath reaches Sharamkuthi. The Kalamezhuthu ceremony, starting after sandhya (evening), must be completed before the Athazha Pooja (night worship). The Kalamezhuthu at Manimandapam, the accompanying Kalamezhuthu song, and the Guruthi ritual at Malikappuram are all performed by the Kuruppans of the Ranni Kunnakad family.

The Kunnakad Kuruppans also escort the Lord from Sannidhanam for Pallivetta and then to Pamba for the Aarat. The five-colour powders used for Kalamezhuthu are sourced from the traditional Ranni Thottamankaavu. These panchavarna (five colours) powders are first taken to the chamber where Thiruvabharanam is kept at the Pandalam Palace. From there, members of the Kunnakad family receive and take them to Sabarimala for the Kalamezhuthu ceremony.