Kollam (Keralam) | At a temple in Keralam, Onam is not only a celebration for people. The monkeys that live around the premises have a place at the feast too.
At the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Sasthamcotta in this south Keralam district, an Onam feast is prepared specially for the temple monkeys every year.
Rice, dal, pappad, pachadi, avial, pickle and other dishes that form part of a traditional Onam feast are served to them. The scene is unusual and, for many devotees, deeply familiar.
"The special Onam feast is served to the monkeys on Uthradam and Thiruvonam, the two main days of the festival," Abhijith N, who is associated with the temple, told PTI.
He said the monkeys had been part of the temple's surroundings for several centuries, adding to the unique tradition associated with the shrine.
The Sasthamcotta Sree Dharma Sastha Temple is among the five ancient Sastha temples in Kerala.
At a feast organised on Tuesday, the Uthradam day and eve of Thiruvonam, the monkeys arrived at the hall to partake in the feast called 'vanara sadya', which was served on plantain leaves.
Initially, a group of monkeys arrived, ate their share and left. Soon, another group appeared. As one group moved away, another came in, turning the temple premises into an informal dining space for the animals.
Some of the monkeys were hesitant when the feast began. But gradually, they came forward and started eating. The visits continued one group after another.
The tradition is believed to have continued at the temple for many decades. Temple authorities and those associated with the shrine say the feast is part of a long-standing practice linked to faith, tradition and offerings made by devotees.
The monkeys that live around the temple are locally known as 'ambalakkurangukal', or temple monkeys. They are treated differently from monkeys that live outside the temple premises.
According to those associated with the temple, the monkeys that live within the temple area are considered part of the temple environment, while those from outside are not allowed to enter the shrine premises.
The practice of serving feasts to the monkeys is not limited to Onam. Food is given to the monkeys on other days as well, making their presence a familiar part of life around the temple.
Food is served to the monkeys on other days as well, and devotees often make offerings to them, Abhijith said.
"There is a special room at the temple where food is served to the monkeys," he said.
At present, around 40 monkeys live in a small forested area adjacent to the temple, he said.
For the people who continue the tradition, the feast carries a simple idea-- the joy of Onam should extend beyond human beings to the animals living alongside them.
