KUMBHABHARANI FESTIVAL KUTTIKKATTU SRI DURGA DEVI TEMPLE

Panchayat/ Municipality/ Pala Municipality Corporation

LOCATION District Kottayam

Nearest Town/ Government Guest House – 850 m Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus station Diwankavala Bus Stop – 900 m

Nearest Railway Chingavanam Railway Station – 5 Km station ACCESSIBILITY

Nearest Airport Cochin International Airport - 91.2 Km

Kuttikkattu Sri Durga Devi Temple

Moolavattom - 686013

CONTACT Phone : +91-481-2342007 DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME February-March Annual 1 Day

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

The puranas – ancient legends say that Bhadrakali (Mother goddess as a Chastising Deity) whose violent anger was blazing even after she killed Darika, was prevented by her father Lord Parameswara, who lay on the road she came rushing along. It is that rare image of the goddess with her feet held high to stamp upon. But seeing her father she calmed down. It is this image of the goddess in that rate moment that is the idol of this temple. Though this is the outward appearance, the bhava, the emotion expressed is that of the merciful, all protective, all-powerful mother who showers blessings on and confers prosperity to the devotees. This temple is a blessing that Moolavattom village attained by some holy deed of the previous births. The Devaprasna (the sacred astrological consultations) revealed that Devi who has no beginning and end chose this spot after passing through many places A long, long time ago, this place where the temple now stands was a wood teeming with bushes and black palms. Two old women who came to collect fire-wood saw two lighted stone lamps. They passed the news and the local people and their leaders made astrological consultations which revealed the divine powerful presence of Sree Bhadrakaali, worshipped by hundred and twenty seven powerful deities. The light of the lamp was emanating her powerful presence. The platform on which a stone-lamp was built was the first centre of worship, which over the ages was built into this temple by the hard work of the local people.

Approximately 1000 Local RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

The Kumbhabharani festival, which falls on the bharani asterism in the Kumbham of the , is a day of celebration in temples dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. Special rituals, ceremonial processions with Kumbakudam ‘kumbamkudam’ are part of the festivities. The KumbhaBharani alias Kumbhamkudam (dancing with pots Elephants’ parade with on heads) festival of the temple is a grand affair, which percussion music attracts thousands of devotees. Towering to a height of 20 feet, it is hazardous to balance Chendu to dance, holding on Cultural programs a human head. By chanting Durga Devi in their tongues, they believe the grace of the goddess help them to achieve that balance. Even more hard work is needed to make it, with non-flexible palm wood, hand maiden paper flowers fixed at the tip of palm leaf mid-rib, and keeping them all un- spoilt for the whole day of KumbhaKudam. Adopted the design from the inflorescence of Pagoda flower, Clerodendronserrattum, longer Chendu are made by keeping them erected in the wells!!! Perhaps that might be the reason why this temple festival of occurs in the summer when the wells are being dried up. Is it the result of firm salvation, any un-described science of balance or the stimulated internal energy by the surrounding crowd, helps the devotee to perform that hazardous dance