{"id":1459,"date":"2020-02-28T11:17:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T05:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.keralatourism.holiday\/blog\/?p=1459"},"modified":"2020-02-28T11:17:09","modified_gmt":"2020-02-28T05:47:09","slug":"chettikulangara-bharani-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.keralatourism.holiday\/blog\/chettikulangara-bharani-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Chettikulangara Bharani 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Date: <\/strong>29th February 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venue:<\/strong> Chettikulangara\nBhagavathy Temple, Mavelikara, Alleppey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The ‘Land of Festivals’, Kerala<\/strong><\/a> never ceases to amaze its fabulous visitors with the most vibrant and extraordinary festivals that are sure to delight them by offering glimpses into the rich heritage, culture and traditions of the state. Among them, the cultural and religious extravaganza, Chettikulangara Bharani<\/strong> is one of the famed and much-awaited festivals of Kerala<\/strong><\/a>. What makes the Chettikulangara Bharani Festival<\/strong> stand out among the other festivals is its special ‘Kuthiyottam’<\/strong> ritual and the spectacular ceremonial procession, ‘Kettukazhcha’. <\/strong>The festival is so famous that it is under consideration to be presented with the Intangible Cultural Heritage <\/strong>status by UNESCO<\/strong>. Chettikulangara Bharani<\/strong> is a must-to-watch festival that reflects the cultural heritage of Kerala<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year Chettikulangara Bharani<\/strong> will be celebrated on 29th February 2020<\/strong> at the famous Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple<\/a><\/strong> <\/strong><\/a>near Mavelikara <\/strong>in Alleppey<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>district.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Join\nus on this reading venture to know more about Chettikulangara Bharani:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chettikulangara\nBharani:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chettikulangara Bharani, <\/strong>also known as Kumbha Bharani<\/strong> is one of the famous temple festivals in Kerala<\/strong><\/a>, celebrated with great religious fervor at the renowned Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathy Temple<\/strong><\/a>, near Mavelikara <\/strong>in Alleppey<\/strong><\/a> district. Every year, it is observed on the Bharani asterism in the month of Kumbham according to the Malayalam calendar which mainly falls between the month of February and March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Chettikulangara Bharani<\/strong> is actually a post-harvest float festival, often held as a thanksgiving to Goddess Bhadrakali<\/strong> for the richest harvest gathered in and protection from calamities and diseases. This extraordinary festival presents a spectacular blend of culture, art, architecture, and the dedicated human endeavor of over 50,000 people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights\nof Chettikulangara Bharani:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chettikulangara Bharani Festival<\/strong> commences on the day of\u00a0Maha Shivratri\u00a0<\/strong>and concludes on the Bharani day. It is organized on behalf of 13 ‘karas’ or regions that comprise of the town\u00a0Chettikulangara<\/strong>. The entire town comes to life and the festive fervor and merriment cover its landscape during the festival time. The main highlights of\u00a0Chettikulangara Bharani<\/strong> are the\u00a0\u2018Kuthiyottam\u2019\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0\u2018Kettukazhcha\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A unique blend of dance, music and ritual,\u00a0Kuthiyottam<\/strong>\u00a0is considered as a symbolic human sacrifice to appease Goddess Kali. The person who took an oath to offer\u00a0Kuthiyottam<\/strong>, adopt two or four pre-pubescent boys who are symbolically sacrificed. They are adopted on the day of\u00a0Maha Shivaratri <\/strong>and are brought to the sponsor’s house where a canopy is erected, and a shrine of Goddess Kali<\/strong> is constructed. Then they are taught basic steps of\u00a0Kuthiyottam\u00a0<\/strong>by trained performers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Worshippers<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the day of Chettikulangara Bharani Festival<\/strong>, the boys are dressed up as Kings with a paper crown, bangles, etc and their abdominal skin is pierced with silver or golden thread. This ritual is known as Chooral (cane) Muriyal (cut) as cane threads were used instead of golden threads in olden days. They are then taken to the temple, accompanied by a pompous procession, where in front of the sanctum sanctorum they perform the steps taught to them to four songs sung in praise of the Goddess. The thread is then removed and offered to the Goddess. Kuthiyottam<\/strong> is a onetime ritual in their life for these boys as they are ritually dead now and may not take part in Kuthiyottam <\/strong>again. Sumptuous community feasts are served thrice a day at the sponsor’s house as part of the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kettukazhcha<\/strong> is the ceremonial\nprocession of colourful and brightly decorated giant structures embellished\nwith cloth, flowers, and ornaments. It is regarded as an offering to the Goddess\nfor the favors received and to seek her blessings. The spectacular Kettukazhcha <\/strong>displays\nsix gigantic temple cars known as \u2018Kuthira<\/strong>\u2019 (horse motifs), five \u2018Theru<\/strong>\u2019\n(chariots), and mammoth idols of Bheema, Hanuman <\/strong>and Panchali<\/strong> which\nare drawn to the Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple<\/strong><\/a> from the 13\n\u2018karas\u2019 or regions of Chettikulangara<\/strong>. These huge structures are\nconstructed by thousands of people from the region, who work together\ntirelessly to create the 90 to 100 feet tall structures which shows the\narchitectural and aesthetic expertise of the people of Chettikulangara<\/strong> as\nwell as the harmony between them. The vibrant Kettukazhcha procession<\/strong> is\naccompanied by ritual folk arts like Padayani, Ammankudam Kolkali <\/strong>as\nwell as  Kuthiyottam. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over half-a-million people participate in the fabulous\u00a0Chettikulangara Bharani Festival<\/strong>\u00a0with passion and devotion. Tourists from different parts of the world also join in this colourful and vibrant celebration. And the amazing\u00a0Kettukazcha<\/strong>\u00a0procession and the unique rituals are sure to leave them in surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About\nChettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chettikulangara Bhagavathy<\/strong> Temple<\/strong><\/a> is one of the most renowned Hindu temples in Kerala<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>believed to be established by Lord Parashuram<\/strong>. The temple dates back to over 1200 years and is situated near Mavelikara<\/strong> in Alleppey<\/strong><\/a> district. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sree Bhadrakali<\/strong> is the main deity of this temple who is worshipped here in 3 different forms: Maha Saraswathi<\/strong> in the morning, Maha Lakshmi<\/strong> in the afternoon and Maha Kali<\/strong> or Durga<\/strong> in the evening. Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple<\/strong><\/a> is treated as a religious and cultural icon and the main attraction here is the massive oil lamp with 1001 lighting points known as Kuthuvilakku<\/strong> which is made up of granite. On the first day of every month, this lamp with 1001 lighting points is lit as an offering to Goddess Bhadrakali<\/strong> which is a special practice held at this temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popular\nTourist Attractions in Alleppey:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Alleppey<\/strong><\/a> is a favourite holiday\ndestination of tourists visiting Kerala<\/strong><\/a>. Iconic for its beautiful\nbackwaters and houseboat cruises, Alleppey<\/strong><\/a> attracts tourists from\nall parts of the world. Besides, there are many other tourist attractions in Alleppey<\/strong><\/a> to explore. Some of\nthem are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n