Pariyanampetta Pooram

Introduction

Pariyanampetta Pooram is a seven day fest held at Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple, Kattukulam in Palakkad district of ‘God’s own country’, Kerala. The Pariyanampetta temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy, the Goddess of 14 Desams.

The image of 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 the occasion in which there are performances of the famous Kathakali and Chakyarkoothu. The ancient folk art of shadow puppetry called Tholpavakoothu, is performed at night on all festival days.

The pooram day is on the 7th of month of Kumbam according to the Malayalam calendar. It falls approximately on the second week of February. A procession of 21 caparisoned elephants is a spectacular on the last day of the festival.

Elephants are considered holy in holy 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.