>Tom.Reding at 19:47, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T19:47:37Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani
| native_name =
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| image = Kettukazhcha at Chettikulangara Devi temple.jpg
| caption = ''Vibrant configuration of the pristine [[Float (parade)|floats]] including [[temple car]]s and [[effigies]] from the 13 provinces''
| status = Active
| genre =Festival
| date = [[Bharani]] [[Nakshatra]] in the Malayalam Calendar month of [[Kumbham]] (Feb/Mar accordingly)
| begins =
| ends =
| frequency = Annually
| venue = [[Chettikulangara Devi Temple]]
| location = [[Chettikulangara]]<br>[[Alappuzha District]], Kerala
| country = India
| coordinates = {{Coord|9.227|N|76.517|E|display=inline,title}}
| years_active =
| first = Early 19{{sup|th}} century
| founder_name =
| last = 
| prev = 29 February 2020
| next = 18 February 2021<br>
{{countdown
|year = 2021
|month = 02
|day = 18
|hour = 00
|minute = 01
|second = 00
|event = '''Kumbha Bharani 2021'''
}}
| participants =
| attendance =
| area =
| budget =
| patron =
| organised = Sree Devi Vilasom Hindumatha Convention
| filing = 
| people =
| member =
| website ={{URL|http://chettikulangara.org/|Chettikulangara.org}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani''' is a festival celebrated every year at the [[Chettikulangara Devi Temple]], [[Chettikulangara]], [[Alappuzha]] district, [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chettikulangara.org/php/chtFest_Bharani.php |title=Kumba Bharani |access-date=9 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309141651/http://www.chettikulangara.org/php/chtFest_Bharani.php |archive-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is held in the month of February or March, the date being determined according to the [[Malayalam Calendar]]. Chettikulangara Bharani in the [[Bharani]] nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Kumbha and hence the name Kumbha Bharani. Kuthiyottam and Kettukazhcha are the highlights of the festival. The festival is under consideration to be bestowed with the Intangible Cultural Heritage status by [[UNESCO]].<ref name="Hindu10">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/chettikulangara-kumbha-bharani-festival-hopes-for-unesco-honour/article109071.ece | title=Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani festival hopes for UNESCO honour | date=18 February 2010 | agency=The Hindu | accessdate=11 March 2014 | author=DENNIS MARCUS MATHEW | location=Alappuzha}}</ref>

==Origins==
According to a legend, a group of Village chieftains and their workers went to construct the Kollam – Chavara canal, acting on the decision of their King. They were stranded due to an inordinate delay in construction. Authorities turned down their plea to return. During the period they visited the temple festivities of Kollam Mulangakam temple. Attracted by the Kettukazhcha there they vowed to their local deity Chettikulangara Bhagavathy, that they would construct similar Kettukazhchas for her every year, if they were allowed to leave for Chetitkulangara immediately. To their surprise, they were allowed to return to Chettikulangara the very next day, and as promised, they made huge Kettukazhchas and took them to their Bhagavathy's premises.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.chettikulangara.org/php/chtAithihyams.php | title=Aithihyams | accessdate=11 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309172603/http://www.chettikulangara.org/php/chtAithihyams.php | archive-date=9 March 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Kuthiyottam==
Kuthiyottam is performed as the most important offering to the deity. It is a symbolic human sacrifice to appease goddess Kali. It is believed that the origin of kuthiyottam is from blood sacrifice to please the ferocious Goddess Kali and the ritual has moderated over time, possibly under the influence of Buddhism.<ref name="kut1">{{cite news | title=കുത്തിയോട്ടത്തിന്റെ അടിസ്ഥാനം പുത്രബലി | date=11 February 2013 | agency=Mathrubhumi | author=Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai | author-link=Kadammanitta Vasudevan Pillai | location=Alappuzha | pages=2}}</ref> The person who vow to offer Kuthiyottam, adopt two or four pre-pubescent boys who are symbolically sacrificed. They are adopted on the day of shivaratri and brought to the sponsors house where a canopy is erected and a shrine of Kali is constructed. They are taught basic kuthiyottam steps by trained performers. On the day of Bharani the boys are bathed and dressed up as kings with paper crown, bangles, fac. Their abdominal skin is pierced with silver or golden thread. The ritual is known as Chooral Muriyal the name comes from Chooral (cane), as cane threads were used earlier and muri (cut). They are then taken to the temple, accompanied by pompous procession. In the front of the sanctum sanctorum they perform the steps taught to them to four songs praising the goddess and thread is then removed and offered to the goddess. These boys are now ritually dead and may not take part in kuthiyottam again.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gardner|first=editors, Filippo Osella, Katy|title=Migration, modernity, and social transformation in South Asia|year=2004|publisher=Sage|location=New Delhi|isbn=9780761932093|page=118}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ekayamkulam.com/mycity.php?page_val=festivals | title=eKayamkulam Festivals | accessdate=11 March 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301051632/http://www.ekayamkulam.com/mycity.php?page_val=festivals | archivedate=1 March 2014 }}</ref>

Kuthiyottam is a blend of dance, music and ritual. The boys perform folk dance to Kuthiyottam folk song. In every house vowed to offer kuthiyottam, performance by trained artist will also be hosted alongside teaching the boys Kuthiyottam. Kuthiyottam folk song has tanavattam [[Tala (music)|tala]].<ref>{{cite news | title=കുത്തിയോട്ട താളത്തിൽ | date=1 March 2014 | agency=Mathrubhumi |author1=K.G. Mahadevan |author2=K. Shaji |author3=S. Akhilesh | location=Alappuzha | pages=2}}</ref> Kuthiyottam used to be done only in houses in the 13 Karas of the Chettikulangara Temple but after a recent Deva Prashnam it was allowed to conduct Kuthiyottam in the houses outside of the 13 Karas.

==Kettukazhcha==
Kettukazhcha is an offering of people of the 13 provinces to their deity to thank for favors received as well as to seek her blessings. Chettikulangara kettukazhcha consists of 13 provincial [[Float (parade)|floats]] including six huge and heavily decorated [[temple car]]s known as '''''[[temple car|Kuthira]]''''' (Horses), five smaller [[temple car]]s known '''''[[Theru]]''''' (Chariots) and [[effigies]] of '''''[[Bhima]]''''', '''''[[Hanuman]]''''' and '''''[[Panchali]]'''''.<ref name ="kt">{{cite web | url=http://www.chettikulangara.org/php/chtKettu.php | title=Kettukazhcha | accessdate=11 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309174132/http://www.chettikulangara.org/php/chtKettu.php | archive-date=9 March 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="pag">{{cite news|title=കേരളത്തിന്റെ പഗോഡകൾ|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/2788057/2014-02-23/kerala|accessdate=23 February 2014|newspaper=Mathrubhumo|date=3 February 2014| author=Chandrakumar|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223052039/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/2788057/2014-02-23/kerala|archivedate=23 February 2014|language=Malayalam}}</ref>

===Kuthira===
Although Kuthira means horse, the [[temple car]]s have no resemblance to horses and the origin of the name is still unknown. Kuthiras are the bigger of the temple cars and have a height of about 70 to 75 feet.
The bottom most part of the Kuthira is called ''Adikkottu'' or ''Vandikkoottu''. It is the basic foundation on which the rest of the parts rests on. It is a platform having four big wooden wheels, interconnected by wooden beams. Attached to the platform are two huge wooden poles ''(Achuthandu)'', used to steer the Kuthira. Above the ''Adikkottu'' there is ''Kathirukal'' with a height of 35 feet, consists of four long poles. They are interconnected with [[arecanut]] poles ''(Alaku)'' and further strengthened with [[wikt:crisscross|crisscross]] formation of ''Alakus'' ''(Kuthukathrika)'' fastened by coir and ''Panavalli'' knots. Bottom part of the Kathirukal, called ''Adikoodaram'' consist of four to five extended layers of slanting box [[pyramids]] ''(Thattu & Charippu)'', then decorated with white cloth ''(Vella)'', colourful glittering clothes and [[embellishment]]s ''(Thookku)''. Above the ''Adikoodaram'' there is ''Prabhada''. ''Prabhada'' is the most magnificent part of the Kuthira. It consist of carved wooden sculptors narrating tales like ''[[Krishnaleela]]'', ''[[Gajendra Moksha]]m'', etc... in the middle of there is elephant caparisons ''([[Nettipattom]])''. Although the ''Prabhada'' gives the impression that it is carved on a single wood, is actually composed of small carefully assembled fragments. Positioned above the ''Prabhada'', ''Edakoodaram'' is almost half the size of ''Kathirukal'' with four to five ''Charippu'' made as in the lower portion, comes above the ''Kathirukal''. It also has glittering different clothes and ''Vella'', interlaced with colourful ''Thookku'' [[embellishment]]s. On top of the Kuthira there is ''Melkkoodaram'', pyramidal in shape, ''Melkkoodaram'' of Chettikulangara Kuthira is four faced ''Kumbhathoppi'', not the three face ''Pallimukham''. A white wooden pole ''(Nambu)'' extends from the top of the ''Melkkoodaram''. In Kuthira the size from top to bottom is almost same except for the ''Prabhada'' in between.

===Theru===
Theru means [[chariot]] but they resemble [[pagodas]] rather than chariots. Theru is smaller than Kuthiras they do not have ''Prabhada'' and ''Edakkoodaram''. They have bigger ''Charippu'' and prominent ''Illithattu'' in between ''Charippu''. They diminish in size upwards.

===Hanuman===
Mattom South brings wooden [[effigy]] of [[Hanuman]]. Human effigy depicts [[Hanuman]] in the court of Ravana. ''Kadalipazham'' [[garland]] is the offering for [[Hanuman]].

===Panchali===
[[Panchali]] [[effigy]] is also brought by Mattom South. The [[effigy]] depicts [[Panchali]], clad in ornaments, waiting for [[Bhima]] who went to gather ''Kalyanasougandikam'' flower. Silk is the offering to Panchali.

===Bhima===
Mattom North bring a massive three and half tonne wooden [[effigy]] of [[Bhima]]. The effigy depicts Bhima riding [[bullock cart]] en route to kill [[demon]] [[Bakasura]]n.<ref name ="kt"/><ref>{{cite news | title=കെട്ടുകാഴ്ച്ചകൾ ഒരുങ്ങുന്നു | date=13 February 2013 | agency=Matrubhumi |author1=K.G. Mahadevan |author2=K. Shaji |author3=S. Akhilesh | location=Alappuzha | pages=2}}</ref>

===Gallery===
{{Gallery
|width=150 | height=250 | lines=4
|align=center
|File:Pela Chettikulangara bharani 2014.png |
alt4=Kuthira from the kara Pela
|Kuthira from the kara Pela
|File:Kaitha north.png |
alt3=Kuthira from the kara Kaitha North
|Kuthira from the kara Kaitha north
|File:EREZHA NORTH.png |
alt2=Kuthira from the kara Erezha North
|Kuthira from the kara Erezha North
|File:EREZHA SOUTH.png |
alt1=Kuthira from the kara Erezha South
|Kuthira from the kara Erezha South
}}

{{Gallery
|width=150 | height=180 | lines=4
|align=center
|File:KAITHA South.jpg |
alt1=Kuthira from the kara Kaitha South
|Kuthira from the kara Kaitha South
|File:Kuthira.JPG |
alt2=Kuthira from the kara Nadakavu
|Kuthira from the kara Nadakavu
|File:KANNAMANGALAM South.jpg |
alt3=Theru from the kara Kannamangalam South
|Theru from the kara Kannamangalam South
|File:ANJILIPRA.jpg |
alt4=Theru from the kara Ajilipra
|Theru from the kara Anjilipra
}}

{{Gallery
|width=210 | height=220 | lines=3
|align=center
|File:Kannamangalam North.jpg |
alt1=Theru from the kara Kannamangalam
|Theru from the kara Kannamangalam
|File:KADA VOOR.jpg |
alt2=Theru from the Kadavoor
|Theru from the kara Kadavoor
|File:Theru.JPG |
alt3=Theru from the kara Menampally
|Theru from the kara Menampally

}}
{{Gallery
|width=210 | height=220 | lines=3
|align=center
|File:Panchali Bharani 2014.jpg |
alt1=Panchali effigy from Mattom South
|Panchali effigy from Mattom South
|File:Hanuman Bharani 2014.jpg|
alt2=Hanuman effigy from Mattom South
|Hanuman effigy from Mattom South
|File:Bhima bharani 2014.jpg |
alt3=Bhima efiggy from Mattom North
|Bhima efiggy from Mattom North

}}

===Buddhist connection===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Theru.JPG
| width1 = 150
| alt1 =
| caption1 = A theru from Kumbha Bharani
| image2 = Horyu-ji09s3200.jpg
| width2 = 134
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Wooden five-story pagoda of Hōryū-ji in Japan

| footer =
}}
There are speculations that kettukazhcha is of [[Buddhist]] origins because of the Buddhist history of the region. There are no [[Hindu]] festival elsewhere, other than in the nearby region, similar to Kettukazhcha moreover a few Buddhist festivals and [[Pagoda]]'s sport a striking similarity.<ref name="pag"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Alexander|first=P.C.|title=Through the corridors of power: an insider's story|year=2004|publisher=HarperCollins|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788172235505|page=53}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Temples|Kerala}}

* [[Temples of Kerala]]
* [[Temple festivals of Kerala]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani}}

[[Category:Festivals in Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Kerala]]
[[Category:March events]]

Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani - Revision history

>Tom.Reding at 19:47, 19 December 2020