Navaratri Idols Begin Return Journey to Padmanabhapuram
The ceremonial procession follows nine days of rituals across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Hinduism
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The return procession for the Navaratri festival idols commenced on Friday, marking the journey back to Padmanabhapuram. This interstate event follows the conclusion of nine days of traditional rituals.
Why it matters
The festival maintains long-standing cultural and religious ties between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu through the ceremonial transport of sacred idols. The procession serves as a major annual event that concludes the Navaratri observance.
The Navaratri festival included nine days of rituals followed by a day of ceremonial halt. The procession utilizes the Vellikkuthira, or Silver Horse, as the formal ceremonial mount for the journey.
The players
Saraswathi Devi
A deity whose idol is a central figure in the annual Navaratri festival procession.
Kumaraswamy
A deity whose idol is transported in a palanquin as part of the return journey.
Munnuttinanka
A deity whose idol is returned to its respective temple following the festival.
The details
Idols of Saraswathi Devi, Kumaraswamy, and Munnuttinanka converged at Killippalam to begin the transport, with Saraswathi Devi carried by elephant and Kumaraswamy by palanquin. A joint guard of honour provided by Kerala and Tamil Nadu police forces marked the formal commencement of the journey.
Timeline
Friday morning saw the movement of idols to Killippalam for the start of the procession.
Friday marked the official commencement of the return journey to Padmanabhapuram.
Saturday includes a scheduled irakkipooja at the Kuzhithurai Mahadevar Temple.
Saturday evening is the anticipated arrival time for the procession at Padmanabhapuram.
Culture Shift
This procession follows the long-standing precedent of the traditional Navaratri festival inter-state procession. The event continues the annual cycle of transporting these specific deities between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The procession may cause temporary transit adjustments along the route between Kerala and Tamil Nadu as the idols are transported. Residents and travelers should account for the scheduled stops at the Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy and Kuzhithurai Mahadevar temples.
The takeaway
The successful conclusion of the Navaratri festival highlights the enduring cooperation between regional authorities to facilitate sacred journeys. Participants can observe these customs by noting the scheduled temple rituals held during the transition period.
Further reading
Learn more about traditions in Hinduism.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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