https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Kodungallur_Bharani_festivalKodungallur Bharani festival - Revision history2026-08-01T07:33:27ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Kodungallur_Bharani_festival&diff=510229&oldid=prevLorenaGallant5 at 13:19, 1 February 20262026-02-01T13:19:56Z<p></p>
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[[File:Kodungallur-bhagavathy-300x336.jpg|thumb|The deity at the Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple for whom the bharani festival is offered.]]<br />
'''Kodungallur Bharani festival''' is a yearly festival dedicated to the goddess [[Bhadrakali]] of [[Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple|Kodungallur Kurumba Bhagavathy temple]] held between the ''Bharani'' days of months ''Kumbham'' and ''Meenam'' of the [[Malayalam calendar]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Numerous manifestations of Kali celebrated in Kerala |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2022/apr/06/numerous-manifestations-of-kali-celebrated-in-kerala-2438455.html |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kodungalloor Kaavutheendal and Bharani, annual festival of Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/event/kodungalloor-bharani/56 |website=Kerala Tourism |access-date=4 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref> This period usually falls between the months of March and April in [[Roman calendar]]. This festival traditionally involves sacrifice of roosters (''Kozhikkallu moodal''),<ref>{{cite web |title=Kerala: Kodungallur Bharani Festival |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/kerala_kodungallur_bharani_festival/ |website=Outlook Traveller |access-date=4 December 2022}}</ref> dance of oracles (''Kaavu theendal''),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chronicle |first1=Deccan |title=Hundreds take part in Kavutheendal ritual |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/210318/hundreds-take-part-in-kavutheendal-ritual.html |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=21 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref> lighting the traditional lamp (''Revathi vilakku''), singing of libelous ballads (''Bharanippattu'')<ref>{{cite news |title=Nileena M.S. on the Meena Bharani festival and the goddess who loves erotica |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/nileena-ms-on-the-meena-bharani-festival-and-the-goddess-who-loves-erotica/article8537146.ece |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=30 April 2016 |language=en-IN}}</ref> and smearing of the image of the goddess with sandalwood paste (''Chandanapoti Charthal'').<br />
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==Rituals==<br />
===Kozhikkallu moodal===<br />
This involves the ritual of sacrificing a rooster over a red silk cloth placed around the stones surrounding the idol.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mar 17 |first1=T. Ramavarman / TNN / |title=Rooster sacrifice: Cops to take action {{!}} Kochi News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/rooster-sacrifice-cops-to-take-action/articleshow/81537224.cms |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> This ceremony symbolizes the fight between the goddess and the opponent Daarika.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rashid |first1=Sumaira |title=Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple: Abusing the Goddess |date=27 February 2020 |url=https://theindianness.com/kodungallur-bhagavathy-temple-abusing-the-goddess/ |access-date=4 December 2022}}</ref> However, this ritual has not been performed since 1977, and is now reduced to covering the stones with a red silk cloth.<ref>{{cite news |title=വിലക്ക് ലംഘിച്ച് കൊടുങ്ങല്ലൂര് ശ്രീകുരുംബാ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ കോഴിബലി നടത്തിയ യുവാക്കൾ പൊലീസ് പിടിയിൽ |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/kerala-news/kodungallur-temple-kozhi-bali-qq3zam |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref><br />
===Kaavu theendal===<br />
Kaavu theendal starts when the king of Kodungallur unfurls the red ceremonial umbrella. Afterwards, the oracles, dressed in red with sickles or bamboo sticks in their hands run around the temple in trance. They also sing libelous ballads abusing the goddess. They also throw coconuts and turmeric powder to the roof and the inner corridors of the temple, thereby 'polluting' it. After this ceremony, the temple closes for a week for a 'purification' ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |title=Oracles Throng Temple for 'Kavu Theendal' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2015/mar/23/oracles-throng-temple-for-kavu-theendal-732071.html |access-date=4 December 2022 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><br />
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==Gallery==<br />
<gallery><br />
File:Kavutheendal start.jpg|Oracles during the ''Kavutheendal'' ceremony.<br />
File:Kodungallur kozhikkallumoodal2.jpg|''Kozhikkallu moodal'' ceremony.<br />
File:Turmeric polluting oftemple kdlr.jpg|The roof of the temple covered in turmeric.<br />
File:Kavutheendal flagoff.jpg|Flag-off for ''Kavutheendal'', symbolically marked by lifting of a red, decorated umbrella.<br />
</gallery><br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Festivals in Thrissur district]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu rituals]]<br />
[[Category:Kali (demon)]]</div>LorenaGallant5