Panchayat/ Municipality/ Thiruvilwamala Panchayat Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ Vilwadrinatha Temple – 400 m Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus Statio Thiruvilwamala Bus Stand – 1.1 Km

Nearest Railway tatio Railway Station – 26.9 Km ACCESSIBILITY Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport – 92.8 Km

Parakkottu Kavu Thiruvilwamala Thrissur – 680588 Phone: +91-4884-282023 (Thiruvilwamala Gram Panchayat) CONTACT DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME April- May (Medam) Annual 13 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

Parakkottukavu Thalapoli is a spectacular annual festival at the Parakkottukavu Temple. The temple is located close to the famous Vilwadrinatha Temple in Thiruvilwamala. The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Kali whose blessings are sought through festivities lasting thirteen days. The Thalapoli event falls on the last Sunday of the month of Medam. The festival is known for its brilliant fireworks on the last day of the festival that are compared to the fireworks on display at . The events on Thalapoli day are jointly conducted by Kizhakkumuri Desam, Padinjattumuri Desam and Pampady Desam as per rituals.

Local Above 10,000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

The festival is an ensemble of colourful events spread over thirteen days in the Malayalam month of Medam. It is Kodiyettu marked by elephant processions, cultural events, traditional Thalapoli rituals and the ritualistic Thalapoli. The Pooram or fireworks Elephant Procession on the final day of the festivities lend a vibrant culmination to Firework (Vedikkettu) the festival. Thousands of people throng the temple Traditional Percussion premises to witness the celebrations and pray to the Music Goddess for their well-being and prosperity. The festival Cultural Programs events are organized by people from the three Desams of Kizhakkumuri, Padinjattumuri and Pampady as per rituals.