pooja timings There are five poojas and three seevelis daily in Thiruvilwamala temple. The temple opens at 4 AM, in a peaceful and auspicious atmosphere made by blowing conch seven times. The first darshan on the day is called 'Nirmalya Darshanam', that means the darshan with the decorations of the previous day. After removing those decorations, Shankhabhishekam (A special abhishekam conducted by taking holy water on rightward conch) and other abhishekams are conducted. Then the idols are decorated with new clothes and sandal paste. The first offering of the day is 'Malar' (puffed rice), along with a plantain and jaggery. After this, the nada closes for Ushapooja (Morning pooja). Neypayasam (Ghee pudding) is offered for this pooja. During sunrise, Ethirettupooja and Mahaganapathy Homam are performed. During Ethirettupooja, the sub-deities of the temple (Lords Ganapathi, Hanuman, Shiva, Parvati & Ayyappa) also get food offerings. After this starts the morning seeveli. The concept of seeveli in Kerala temples is that the Lord watches offering food to his bodyguards, represented by each balikkallu on the side. There are three circumbulations (pradakshinams) for seeveli, and after draping food on the big balikkallu, seeveli ends. No one should enter nalambalam during seeveli and should circumbulate with the Lord chanting his names. After seeveli, at 7:30 AM starts 'Navakabhishekam' (Abhishekam with the water in nine pots). After this, the idol is again decorated and at 8 AM, when the shadow reaches 12 ft height, 'Pantheeradi Pooja' is conducted. Vella Nivedyam (Rice cooked without jaggery) is offered at this time. Later, at 11 AM, Uchapooja (Noon pooja) starts. Palpayasam (Milk pudding) is offered to the Lords at this time. After Uchapooja, there is Uchaseeveli too. The temple closes at 12 PM after all rituals. The temple reopens at 5 PM. Deeparadhana is conducted at the dusk according to the sunset of each day. During Deeparadhana, a special act called 'Sandhyavela' is also performed by the devotees, who chant the names of the Lord many times. At 7:30 PM, Athazhapooja (Night/dinner pooja) is conducted. Appam, Ada and Betel leaves are offered to the Lords at this time. Later, Athazhaseeveli is also conducted. After this seeveli, the final darshan called 'Thrippuka', in which the sreekovil is filled with holy smoke (The name itself has that meaning), is conducted. The temple closes at 9 PM. Peruvanam Kunnath Kizhakkedath & Padinjaredath Bhattathiris are the Tantris (Chief priests) of east & west