Panchayat/ Municipality/ Municipality Corporation

LOCATION District Pathanamthitta

Nearest Town/ Pathanamthitta Town – 1.5 Km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus Station Pathanamthitta Bus Station – 2.5 Km

Nearest Railway Chengannur Railway Station – 25 Km Station ACCESSIBILITY Nearest Airport Trivandrum International Airport – 110 Km

Sree Kodumthara Subrahmanya swamy temple , Kodumthara, Pathanamthitta P.O , Patanamthitta- 689 645 Phone: +91-9446188429 (B.Sreekumar-Secretary) Phone: +91-9447207082 (P.V.Mohankumar- President) CONTACT Email: [email protected] Website: www.kodumtharatemple.org DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME January-February(Makaram) Annual 1 Days

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth) This temple is one of the ancient temples in Pattanamthitta district. Kodumthara Subrahmanya swami temple has a prominent position on the centuries old Muruka temples of . The Subrahmanya swami temple at Harippad, the Kumarakovil temple in Thiruvananthapuram District and the Kodumthara temple are believed to be built up during the same period. The temple is famous for its traditional architectural works with the typical construction of Vatta Sree Kovil (Circular Sanctrorum) & the Conical Shaped roofing. Lord Subrahmanya Swamy is the chief deity. The temple is situated on the banks of river in . Thaipooyam is one of the major festival celebrated in the name of Lord Subramanya. 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. According to this, the word Kavu means temple or divine place and Adi means servants. In kavadiattam, the dancers will bear an arch-shaped structure decorated with flowers. Dancers will keep this heavy structure on their shoulder and will dance to the rhythm of drums. According to some other version, kavadi denotes burden and the dancers are taking all their burdens on their shoulders and dance to appease Lord Subramanya.

Local Approx. 10000 RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Thaipooyam festival is celebrated in the name of Lord Subramanya, son of Lord Shiva. The shrine is traditionally Kavadiyattam decorated with plantain, coconut leaves, flowers, leaves, Cultural programs traditional lamps and lights. There are of cultural events and Folk arts folk arts during the festival days. Kavadiyattam, which starts Percussion Music from the Chengannur Mahadeva temple on the final day of the festival, is the major attraction of Thaipooyam. In kavadiattam, the dancers bear with them an arch-shaped structure decorated with flowers. 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. 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 either six to ten feet high or decorated with flowers is carried on the 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 belief, Lord will enjoy their dance and remove the burdens from their shoulders.