193
NAMBUTIRI BRAHMAN
ceremony, the idol is dropped into a well. On the 4th of Bhādrapada.
- (9) Pūram. — The god of love, represented by a clay image, is propitiated by unmarried girls with offerings of flowers seven days successively. The image is finally given, together with some money, to a Brāhman, who drops it into a well. The flowers which have been used to decorate the image are placed by the girls at the foot of a jāk tree. Contrary to the custom of other Brāhmans, Nambūtiri girls are under no disgrace, should they attain puberty while unmarried. In the month of Mīna.
- (10) Ōnam. — The great festival of Malabar, kept by everyone, high and low, with rejoicing. It is the time of general good-will, of games peculiar to the festival, and
of distribution of new yellow cloths to relations and dependants. It is supposed to commemorate the descent of Maha Bali, or Mābali, to see his people happy.
- (11) Tiruvadira. — Fast and vigil in honour of Siva, observed by women only. In the month of Dhanu.
- (12) Vishu. — The solar new year's day. A very important festival in Malabar. It is the occasion for gifts, chiefly to superiors. The first thing seen by a Nambūtiri on this day should be something auspicious. His fate during the year depends on whether the first
object seen is auspicious, or the reverse. The following festivals are referred to by Mr. Subramani Aiyar: —
- (1) Trikkatta or Jyēshta star, — In the month of Chingam. Food is cooked, and eaten before sunrise by all the married male members, as well as by every female member of a family. Though not of the previous day, the food goes by the name of Trikkatta pazhayatu,
or the old food of the Trikkatta day. The import of this
