Nayattu Vili

Nayattu Vili is a rare and significant ceremony held at Sabarimala as part of the Makaravilakku Festival. This ritual involves the recitation of Ayyappa's legend in verse form. The Ezhunnallath (procession) begins from Malikappuram after the Kalamezhuthu ritual at Manimandapam and the athazha pooja. Lord Ayyappa then ascends to the Pathinettampadi (18 steps), accompanied by the Nayattu Vili for four consecutive days.

As the procession reaches the Pathinettampadi (18 steps), the participants stand in front of the temple, reciting the Nayattu Vili, which serves as a declaration of position. The Nayattu Vili commemorates the time when Lord Ayyappa went hunting, and his followers walked ahead of him, shouting wildly. The ritual involves 576 actions, from salutation to dedication, chronicling Lord Ayyappa's history. During the recitation, participants respond with a ritual call of "Ohoy" and chant "Swami" at each stage of the story.

The Nayattu Vili group consists of 12 members, including Pallivetta Kurup. The Nayattu Vili is directed southward, while Lord Ayyappa's procession faces the west. This ritual lasts for half an hour, with the representative of the Pandalam Palace and Devaswom officials as audience.

On the fifth day, the procession moves to Sharamkuthi, accompanied by the Nayattu Vili. The Perumal Pillai family from Perunad Punnamoot holds the traditional right to perform the Nayattu Vili, a privilege believed to have been granted by the King of Pandalam. It is said that this family was brought from the Pandi region by the king. After the Sabarimala ceremonies, the Nayattu Vili is also performed at the Perunad Kakkad Koikkal Temple.