Annual Pilgrimage at Rayiranellur Hill

The Annual Pilgrimage at Rayiranellur Hill is a deeply fascinating cultural event scheduled for October 18, 2026, near Pattambi in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Occurring on the first day of the Malayalam month of Thulam, the event draws thousands of pilgrims who undertake a challenging trek up the 500-meter-high hill to seek blessings at the historic hilltop Durga temple. The site holds deep mythological significance as the home of Naranathu Bhranthan, the legendary eccentric sage who famously rolled massive boulders up the hill only to drop them back down to mock life's futile attachments. Today, pilgrims participate in special temple rituals and follow the custom of circumambulating a massive commemorative statue of the mystic philosopher installed at the peak, making it an enchanting blend of physical endurance, folklore, and spiritual devotion. [1, 2, 3]