In Kollam, carolling in harmony from church to temple

In an annual tradition in Kerala, Thrikkannamangal Sri Krishnaswami temple and St. George Orthodox Syrian church unite in each other’s festivities.

Carrying Christmas lanterns and filling the air with merry strains of music, a carol party is perhaps least expected at the entrance to a temple. But the deity at the Thrikkannamangal Sri Krishnaswami temple is no stranger to carollers as they visit him every year, belting out upbeat hymns to spread the cheer. As part of a long-standing local tradition, the carol service from St. George Orthodox Syrian church makes a stopover in front of the temple tower, where everyone joins the Christmas revelries.

While the temple committee welcomes the carol service with nilavilakku (traditional lamps), nirapara (heaped paddy) and firecrackers, the parish priest offers a prayer of blessing. Standing next to an array of lamps, the carolling party sings about the birth of the Lord and it blends with the temple bells. “During the last two years, we couldn’t conduct the carol service due to the pandemic-related restrictions. The carol party from the church visits only this temple and every year we wish them a merry Christmas and happy new year on the occasion,” says Father Spencer Koshy, parish priest, who leads the service.

According to the residents, the temple and church share a special bond as they were built around the same period. “It’s a holy month for both the communities as Christmas coincides with the mandala season and the main festival of the temple and church also fall on the same month. Every year the temple committee receives a muthukuda (ornate umbrella) when the festival begins and it’s a unique tradition of the place,” says Saji Cheroor, a resident. When the rasa (procession) from the church passes through, the temple committee accords a reception at the junction.