People feeding Elephants at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, Kerala on occasion of the start of Malayalam month Karkkidakam. (PTI Photo)
The auspicious 'Ramayana month' began in Kerala on Friday with traditional houses and temples reverberating with the chanting of the epic.
It has been a decades-old practice in the state to observe 'Karkkidakam', the last month in the Malayalam calender, as 'Ramayana month' and recite "Adhyatma Ramayana", authored by medieval devotional poet Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan.
The book, considered holy by devotees, is recited by elder people from the beginning till the end in the next 30 days before lighted lit lamps.
In temples, scholars will recite the epic and explain devotees its meaning during the month.