Celebrated In : Kerala
Centre of Activity : Chettikulangara Bharani Temple
Main Rituals : Kuthiyottam, Kettukazcha
In the month of : February/March
Chettikulagara Bharanai Temple, the famous temple dedicated to the awesome Goddess Bhagavathi is about 5 kms from Kayamkulam. The important festival here occurs on the Bharani asterism in February/ March.
The main rituals of the festival are the 'Kuthiyottam' and 'Kettukazcha'. The 'Kuthiyottam' features a procession of young boys who have observed rigorous ritual penance.
Traditional drums, music and glittering ornamental parasols accompany this procession of boys who dance in a trance
Like different strokes on a large canvas, festivals of Kerala are colourful narratives; each different from the other. The video is of Chettikulangara Bharani, the annual festival of an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, located in the Chettikulangara village of Alappuzha district.
Kettukazcha
Spectacular Kettukazcha processions, in which brightly decorated structures are taken on chariots, are the highlight of this festival. The processions start from different centres in and around the village and reach the temple premises by evening. It’s a fabulous visual when the sky-high structures line up in the vast field near the temple in the twilight.
The festival is held on the Bharani asterism in the month of Kumbham (February-March), according to the Malayalam calendar. There is also another festival on the Bharani asterism in the month of Meenam (March-April). Both the festivals are attended by large number of devotees.
