Garudan Thookkam is a ritual art form performed in certain Kali temples in some Central Kerala districts in south India. The people who dress up as Garuda perform the dance. After the dance performance, the hang-designate dangle from a shaft hooking the skin on his back. In some places, the ritual is performed colorfully with Garudas taken in a procession on bullock carts or boats or hand pulled carts. It will be available in Devi temple during the festival of Meena bharani and Pathamudayam in Thiruvanchoor in Kottayam district.
Legend has it that even after slaying Darika, Kali remained insatiable and thirsty. At this time Vishnu sent Garuda to Kali to quench the thirst. A dancing and bleeding Garuda was taken to Kali and only after getting some drops of blood from Garuda, Kali was pacified. The ritual is performed based on this belief.
Garudan Thookam is submitted as a reward for the problems solved in the abode of Goddess Kali. There is a famous Garudan Thookam at the Elamkavu Devi temple at Vadayar in Vaikkom taluk of Kottayam district. During the Aswathi, Bharani days of Meenam Month (Malayalam), more than 40 to 50 Garudan in the Thooka chadus, decorated and floated in thoni[check spelling] vallams (big country-boats), travel behind the Attuvela - a wooden structure constructed in the form of a three storied building which is considered as the floating temple of the Goddess Kali in the Moovattupuzha river. This is one of the best sights, with illuminated Structures. After the night long performance with the help of scores of chenda experts, the Garudans - bleeding after the Choondakuthal (Piercing of the skin on their back with a sharp metal hook) will be hung on a tall pedestal-like structure and taken thrice around the temple by the devotees. This is seen at the Pazhaveedu temple at Alappuzha district. But here the performance is done on a chariot-like structure on the road.
This ritual is performed at Pallikkalkavu Bhagavathi temple (Njeezhoor, Kottayam (Dist)) on Makara Bharani day. This ritual was performed at Koottekkavu Bhagavathy temple (Amballoor,Ernakulam Dist) on Meenabharani. Arayankavu Bhagavathi temple Ernakulam dist (on Pooram, Meenam) and Irapuram Devi temple near perumbavoor (on Kumbha Bharani day) has the highest number of garduan thookkam in Kerala. More than 100 Garudan performers perform in these temples every year.
Garudanthoookam is also performed in Polassery Bhagavathi temple in [Polassery, vaikom] in Kottayam district on meenabharani . Garudanthookam is performed in this temple in every year.
Theyyam are Hindu ritual practiced in northern Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Theyyam is also known as Kaḷiyāṭṭaṁ or Tiṟa. Theyyam consists of traditions, rituals and customs associated with temples and sacred groves of Malabar. The people of the region consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam.
Arayankavu is a village in Kerala, south India with Piravam Road as the nearest railway station. It belongs to the Amballoor Village Panchayath. The Arayankavu Temple is a famous temple of the Hindu mother goddess Bhadrakali. The temple is located near Ernakulam in the southern Indian state of Kerala and is one of the most popular temples in the state, for "Garudan Thookkam" performed on every "Pooram" of the Malayalam month "Meenam". Shiva, ayyappa, and naga are also worshiped at the temple. Pooram is the most famous celebration.
Bhadrakali, is a Hindu goddess She is considered to be the auspicious and fortunate form of Adi Shakti who protects the good, known as bhadra.
Piravom is a municipality in Ernakulam district and a suburb of Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located with in 31 km southeast of Kochi city center, at the boundary of the Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. Piravom is famous for its Hindu temples and Christian churches. Piravom has a river-front, verdant hills, and paddy fields.
Mudiyettu is a traditional ritual theatre and folk dance drama from Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. The ritual is a part of the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult. The dance is performed in bhadrakali temples, the temples of the Mother Goddess, between February and May after the harvesting season.
Pulluvan Pattu is a form of serpent worship performed by both the lower castes and higher castes, in addition to serpent temples. The pulluvar of Kerala are closely connected to serpents. They consider the snake gods their presiding deities and perform sacrifices and sing songs.
Pallickathodu, also spelled Pallikkathodu which includes Anickadu village, is a town in eastern Kottayam district, Kerala, India. It falls under the Kanjirappally assembly constituency.
Vallicode is a village in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, India. It is situated at about 7 km from the district headquarters of Pathanamthitta at south-east direction.
Blandevar is a small village in the North Mazhuvannoor area of the Ernakulam district of India. The renowned Blandevar Mahavishnu Temple is located here.
Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi temple is one of the most renowned Hindu temples in Kerala. Main deity Sree Bhadrakali, The temple is located at Chettikulangara in Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. The temple is situated about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of Mavelikkara town, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of Kayamkulam city on SH6. Bhadrakali, is an incarnation of supreme mother Shakthi devi, born from the third eye of Lord Shiva, to kill the demon king Daruka. 'Bhadra' means good and 'Kali' means goddess of time. So Bhadrakali is worshipped for prosperity and salvation. Devi is considered as the creator, protector, destructor, nature, power and Kundalini shakthi. Chettikulangara is located near Kayamkulam city.
Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram, is a 300-year-old Hindu temple on the banks of the Achankovil river in Vazhamuttom, Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. The Devi (goddess) is the main deity here.The centuries-old temple was fully reconstructed in 2020.
Bharanikkavu is a Panchayat in Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala.
Panachikkad is a village in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India.
Sree Kurumba Bhagavati Temple is a Hindu temple at Kodungallur, Thrissur District, Kerala state, India. It is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, a form of Mahakali or simply Durga or Aadi Parashakthi worshipped and significantly revered in Kerala. The goddess is known also by the names "Sri Kurumba"". This temple is the head of 64 Bhadrakali temples in Kerala especially Malabar. This Mahakali temple is one of the oldest functioning temples in India. This is attested by numerous Tamil poems and inscriptions of different times. The goddess of the temple represents the goddess in her fierce ('ugra') form, facing North, featuring eight hands with various attributes. One is holding the head of the demon king Daruka, another a sickle-shaped sword, next an anklet, another a bell, among others. Routine worship at the temple every day at 03:00 and ends at 21:00 local time.
Pulimukam Temple is a Hindu temple located in Thazhava in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. Bhadra Bhagavathi is the presiding deity of the temple. The temple is situated about 5 km north of Karunagappally and is reachable by National Highway 47.
Valiyakulangara is a small town in alappuzha district in Kerala, India. Valiyakulangara Devi Temple
Padayani, also known Padeni, is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati temples. The dance is performed in honor of Bhadrakaali. Meaning, a 'row of warriors', Padayani is an art form that blends all music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is part of worship of Bhadrakali and is staged in temples dedicated to the goddess from mid-December to mid-May. Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala. It is also performed in adjoining regions of Kollam, Alappuzha districts.
Anicad Sree Bhagavathi Temple is a well-known Hindu temple of the goddess Bhadrakali located at Anicad, Kottayam district, Kerala, India. The temple is located on top of a hill.
Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani is a festival celebrated every year at the Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Chettikulangara, Alappuzha district, Kerala. It is held in the month of February or March, the date being determined according to the Malayalam Calendar. Chettikulangara Bharani in the Bharani nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Kumbha and hence the name Kumbha Bharani. Kuthiyottam and Kettukazhcha are the highlights of the festival. The festival is under consideration to be bestowed with the Intangible Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO.
Palkulangara Devi Temple is a Hindu temple in Palkulangara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. This place is around 1 km from Pettah Junction, 700 m from West Fort Junction and 1.5 km from Chakka bypass Junction. It is about 1.5 kilometres to the west of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram city. Now the temple is under the control of Sree Palkulangara Devi Temple Trust. The temple is an excellent example of Kerala Vasthu Vidya. The abode of Sree Palkulangara Devi is one of the most ancient temples in Kerala, which preserves the beauty and atmosphere gifted by nature. A kavu is also there in the temple.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
