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Devi’s
 birthday falls on Bharani in the month of Meenam. The
festival is on the days of Revathi, Aswathi and Bharani. On
the days of Revathi and Aswathi , Thiruvaampadi and
Kaithavana karayogams conduct the festivals in alternate
years. The devaswom conducts the festival on the day of
Bharani. The people all around come in the morning to the
temple after the divine unction and get the blessings of
Devi dressed in thiruvabharanam. For Kuthiyottam, boys
participate after a month of penance; it is done at the
expense of the members of a family.
On
the day of Bharani, from 4 O’ clock onwards there are the
eye-catching Patayani, Karakam, Kumbhakudam, Desathaalapoli
in the succession. After Deeparadhana there is thayampayaka
of both parts of the village. The next is Ottathookkam
performed after a month’s penance.From the day of Bharani in
Kumbham, fencing gets started in the training centre of
Muttath Kalari. The chariot race renowed as Garudan Thookkam
begins by 1 O’clock after midnight. The chariot of
Kaithavana karayogam starts from Kaitavana junction and that
of Thiruvaampaadi from Muttath Kalari. Artists vie with one
another with percussion instruments. A family may have to
wait for 15 to 20 years to perform Garudan Thookkam, the
legend of which is associated with the killing of Darikan.
When Devi rushes forward with Darikan’s
head and the bleeding sword, no thing, not even her father
Siva who lies on the way, can pacify her. There comes Lord Maha Vishnu and He plucks a feather from His Garuda and
pours a drop of blood from there into Devi’s mouth.
Instantaneously is Devi pacified and She blesses one and all
there and goes round Lord Siva. Garuda jumps out of the
chariot, walks towards Devi and cuts the hook. Chanting
Ayyappa thinthakatho he circles round Devi and rings the
curtain down for the festival.
There is the offering of Parra(literally, a measure of paddy)
on five days before Revathi. Devi is supposed to visit the
people around these days. On the days of Revathi and Aswathi
the people of both parts of the village make a floor
decoration of Devi with powders of various colors and also
take Thaalappoli. |
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Chingam : Sreebali, Vinayaka Chathurthi.
Kanni, Thulam: Poojayeduppu, Navaha Yajjnam
Vrischikam, Dhanu: Mandala Pooja; Floor
decoration with Thalappoli from Dhanu 1 to 11 ; Valiaguruthi
on forty-first day
Bharani in Makaram: Nadackuvaippu
Meena Bharani: Festival on Revathi, Aswathi,
Bharani, followed by Kalasam.
Medam 1: Vishukkani
Karkkidakam : Laksharchana;
Karkkidaka Vavu |
