Chettikulangara temple
Chettikulangara is famous for the Kumbha Bharani festival celebrated in the month of Feb-Mar. The main attraction is the Kuthiyottam vazhipadu procession in the morning and the Kettukazcha in the evening. The temple is located 8 km from Kayamkulam near Mavelikkara in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is 50 km from Alappuzha and one hour by bus. The festival was on 2 March 2009. The specialty of the temple are the 1001 vilakku (lightstand) and the hundreds of year old Chembakam tree.
Kuthiyottam
Kuthiyottam is a symbolic representation of human ‘bali’( homicide). Kuthiyottam is a unique vazhipadu (offering) in which devotees spend Rs 2 to 15 lakh (10 lakh = 1 million). The host will feed all visitors who come to home to witness Kuthiyottam. On the eve of the Bharani day a big lunch for the 'kara' will be arranged at home.
Adi Dravida folk dances and songs are essential part of the offering. Kuthiyotta Kalaris’, run by Kuthiyotta Asans (Teachers), train the group to perform the dances and songs. Training starts about one to two months before the season and the man who makes the offering teaches young boys certain religious rites.
On Bharani morning, after the feast and rituals, the boy's body is coiled with silver wires, one end of which is tied around his neck, and an areca nut fixed on the tip of a knife held high over his head. He is taken in procession to the temple with the accompaniment of beating of drums, music, ornamental umbrellas, bhadra theyyam, peacock kavadis, horse dancers, naga dancers etc. Tender coconut water is poured on his body, till they reach the temple. At the end of it, the boy stands at a position facing the Sreekovil (Sanctum Sanctorum) and begins to dance. The ceremony comes to an end with the presentation of prizes to the Gurus (teachers). This dance if performed in pairs is called Iratta Kuthiyottam.
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