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Pariyanampetta Pooram is a seven day fest held at Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple, Kattakulam in Palakkad district of Kerala, ‘God’s own country‘. The Pariyanampetta temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy, the Goddess of 14 Desams.
Pariyanampetta Pooram: Kattakulam, Palakkad
The image of the goddess is drawn on floor and songs are sung along with it; this ritualistic drawing is called Kalamezhuthu Pattu and is performed on all the seven days of the festival.
Religious and folk arts like Kaalavela (bull motif display) and Kuthiravela (horse motif display), Poothanum thirayum etc are demonstrated in the procession on the last day.
A cultural celebration is also held on this occasion, in which Kathakali and Chakyarkoothu dance forms are performed. The ancient folk art of shadow puppetry called Tholpavakoothu, is performed at night on all festival days.
According to the Malayalam calendar, the pooram day is celebrated on the 7th day of the month of Kumbam. It falls around the second week of February. There is a procession of 21 caparisoned elephants on the last day of the festival and the view is simply spectacular.
Elephants are considered as a holy living in Kerala; so people hoard around the procession to seek blessings from them. The elephant and traditional musical performances are inherent parts of religious festivals in South India – Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The traditional folk and traditional performances like the Tholpavakoothu, Kalamezhuthupattu, Pootham, Thira, Karivela, Kaalavela, Kuthiravela, Kathakali, Chakyarkoothu brings a cheerful smile to the faces of people.
Seven days of cultural and spiritual revelry is what draws people to the great Pariyanampetta Pooram, the annual festival at the Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple. The number of diverse performances here is a rarity even among the special and unique poorams that adorn our State’s landscape. People especially love viewing its famous Kalamezhuthu Pattu, where the images of the Goddesses are drawn on the floor using different colourful natural powders. Kathakali and Chakiyarkoothu performances can be seen at the venue, where Bhagavathi or Mother Goddess is the presiding deity.
At night, one gets to see the folk art form Tholpavakoothu (Shadow Puppetry), which is among God’s Own Country’s most beautiful traditions. The event ends when a procession of around 21 elephants is taken out and people can see folk arts like Kaalavela (bull effigy) and Kuthiravela (horse effigy). The vibrant hues you witness here will remain with you forever.
