Panchayath/ Municipality/ Balaramapuram Panchayat Corporation

LOCATION District Trivandrum

Nearest Town/ Eruthavoor Junction Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus station Balaramapuram Bus Stop – 1.5km

Nearest Railway Balaramapuram Railway Station - 2km station ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Trivandrum International Airport - 19km Eruthavoor Sree Balasubrahmanya Swamy Temple Balaramapuram- Road Balaramapuram -695507 CONTACT Phone: +91-471-2403388

DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME January – February (Makam) Annual 10 days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth) Eruthavoor Sree Balasubrahmanya Swamy Temple, known as Pazhani (Pazhani of Kerala) is an ancient shrine in Balaramapuram. The temple, situated on top of the Eruthavoor Hill enshrines Lord Muruga in the infant form as the presiding deity. Separate shrines are earmarked for Lord , Nagaraja and Nagakanyaka. Devotees must take a flight of over 250 steps to reach the temple. Kavadi, Urul Nercha and Muzhukkappu are the main offerings at this temple. Thaipooyam festival is celebrated in the name of Lord Subramanya, son of Lord . The name Thaipooyam is derived by blending two words. Thai is a Tamil month (Jan- Feb) and Pooyam is the star (It is called as Poosam in Tamil). There are numerous stories associated with Thaipooyam. But the most important story is that of Goddess Parvati presenting Vel to Muruga to eliminate demon Tharakasura. Thaipooyam is celebrated to commemorate this victory of good over evil. The kavadiyattom which showcases a rich vibrancy of colors is one of the major attractions of this festival.

RELEVANCE- Local Around 1,50,000 NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National PARTICIPATED / International) EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Thaipooyam festival is celebrated in the name of Lord Flag Hoisting Subramanya, son of Lord Shiva. There is a flag hoisting ceremony Kavadiyattam marking the beginning of the festival. The kavadiyattom which Temple arts showcases a rich vibrancy of colors is one of the major attractions Musical Concerts of this festival. Kavadi procession starts from Sree Mutharamman Percussion Music temple, Balaramapuram on the opening day of the festival. Cultural Programs and Traditional temple music and various floats are the part of the folk arts procession. Kavadi denotes burden and the dancers are taking all Arattu their burdens on their shoulders and dance to appease Lord Subramanya. Devotees bearing the kavadis, spinning about to the rhythmic and catchy beats of the chenda and cymbals make the onlookers fill with bliss. The temple premises burst with thousands of devotees from far and wide during the month of January / February to witness this spectacular festival. On the Pooyam day, people also pierce their body with small lance, or vel. This is done for getting desires fulfilled. The dance ritual starts in the morning where several groups such as ambalakkavadi and pookkavadi are formed on the basis of the shape of the kavadi (kavadi is a richly decorated wooden arch) carried on shoulders. The dancers have to follow certain ritual before participating in kavadiyattam. They should observe penance for 41 days by avoiding alcoholic liquor, non-vegetarian food etc. According to this , Lord enjoys their dance and remove the burdens from their shoulders. Other than this, several cultural programs and cultural events are held there on the festival days. On the final day Arattu (holy bath) takes place where the utsava murti of the deity is taken out of the shrine for ritual bathing on the final day. Caparisoned elephants and melam are part of the ritual. Melam, traditional Kerala temple music with five instruments, are performed as part of the festival.