(Could be a long thread)
1. The parashurama kshetra - especially the tulunadu and kerala region - still retain many of the traditional rituals and practices when it comes to temples. In this thread, I will attempt to detail one such custom.

2. Each temple in this region provides for (mainly) 3 forms of worship - anga, ranga and utsava. Anga puja happens within the garbha gruha. In ranga puja - the diety comes to the ranga sthala. However, in the utsava - diety comes out of the main griha itself.

3. It is in the utsava form of worship that each member of the grama (village) can participate. It is specifically structured to allow community participation. The utsava or 'jaatre' happens once a year - time being determined by local tradition - but fixed slot in a year.

4. Please note - the details I provide may not match 100% for every single temple in the region (obviously) - but it will describe the common features of most of them. Specifics of each temple simply cannot be covered in a general thread.

5. Each temple has a specific number of days during which the 'jaatre' is conducted. 1, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11 days - are the common ones.

6. The first day of the jaatre is known as 'kodi' due to the main ceremony of the hoisting of the flag (kodi yeropuna). The final day is called 'aaraT'.

Dhwaja aarohana and avarohana is what happens during these 2 days. Remember each temple in tulunadu has a dhwaja sthambha.

7. Each temple - depending upon the main diety - has a number of lower forms of dieties. The two main categories of these are 'gaNas' and 'bhutas'.

8. Around the temple - there are a number of 'bali kallu' - 'stones for offerings' - that represent the 'gaNas'. The other category of beings - bhutas - are more elaborately worshipped - the chief mode being the bhuta 'kola'.

9. Now on each day of the jaatre (in most cases) - the utsava murthy of the main diety (durga, shiva, vishnu, skanda etc) is brought out of the garbha gudi and goes around the 'prakara' of the temple. One of the main activities during this 'bali' ceremony is the offering to ganas

10. The most important day of the jaatre is the 'aaraT' which is the last day. The night before aaraT - the main diety is offered various pujas - and then the diety is made to 'sleep'. The ceremony is called 'shayana'

11. Various food items are kept inside the garbha griha - the murthy is decorated with special flowers and then covered with silk clothes. The garbha gudi is closed and all entrances of the temple are also closed.

12. Early morning on aaraT day - at a chosen muhurtha - the 'tantri' - who is a special priest who conducts the entire jaatre (along with other main events at the temple) - starts the proceedings at a chosen muhurtha - by chanting a prayer

13. This ceremony is called 'kavatodghaatana'. The darshana of the diety immediately after opening is very auspicious

14. Next the diety, just like a kid, is offered oil - and then a hot water abhisheka follows
(watch the tantri check if the water is too hot)

15. Next panchamruta and tender coconut abhisheka is performed followed by alankara.

16. The rituals of early morning end with a mangalarati and distribution of prasada.

17. As noon approaches the main murthy and the Utsava murthy are both decorated well.

18. Around noon the 'bali' starts. One person carries the utsava murthy around the outer prakara accompanied by various musical instruments. First is the uduka.

19. Each temple has a different number of rounds or bali-suttu. 3 is quite common. The chande round is very enchanting to watch.

20. In some temples there is a custom of the principal bhuta meeting the diety during the final round.

21. After this the utsava murthy is taken to the temple kitchen and the preparation is offered as naivedya to the diety.

The diety then returns back inside the garbha gudi and mahapuje is performed. This concludes the rituals for the day. The second stage starts in the evening.

23. On all days of the jaatre in the evening cultural programs are held. Same happens on the final day too.

24. Late in the evening the concluding ceremonies begin. The 'padarthi' signals to all the start of the rituals by beating his uduku.

25. The utsava is reaching its climax. The tantri performs a puja of the utsava murthy and invites the sannidhana of the Lord in it.

26. It is prasanna kala now. Lord is very pleased. He personally supervises special offerings to his 'ganas'

27. The diety steps out again for bali-suttu. This time, in addition to the ones at noon, the diety is also placed on a pallanki - palanquin.

28. Next a beautiful procession with camphor light and 'okuli' water is performed after which the diety proceeds towards his ratha.

29. A series of katta-puja happens next. These are platforms setup throughout the village where one of the devotees conducts a puja.

30. The diety then proceeds to ascend his ratha - the climbing of the chariot is a visual treat.

31. Devotees pull the ratha with great fervor

32. After the rathothsava the diety proceeds towards the pushkarani - temple pond - for the avabhruta snana - ceremonial bath.

33. Its about 3:30am - and time for devotees to take a dip in the kere with somanatha

34. On the way back from the kere - devotees, especially young ones, decide to entertain the lord with traditional fireworks display - thoote daarike

35. The finale is near. Kshetrapala - the guardian bhuta of the temple has been waiting for a year now to meet his lord - he approaches the diety - offers his respect - escorts the lord till the entrance and requests him to reenter the temple.

36. In the end, the dhwaja (flag) is brought down and taken inside the temple. This concludes the utsava or jaatre.