Ezhamkulam Devi Temple I AadhiDev Thookkam I Jayan Janardhan

Ezhamkulam Devi Temple :- On the day of Makara Bharani the mahotsav (ceremony) starts with regular poojas and after deeparadhana there will be Ooranma Parayeduppu and by receiving kaineetapara Parakkezhunallathu of Ezhamkulathamma of the current year starts. Behalf of Makara Bharani Kalemezhuthpattu and it continues with most important Vilekezhunullip of Mahadevi is conducted. The fasting of Kannithathookar (Performers of Garudan Thookkam undergo a strict penance for 41 days, abstaining from non-veg foods, intoxicants and worldly pleasures, and prepare their body and mind ready to perform the ritual.) and Thookapayattu studies for the Thooka Vazhipad also starts along with this. On the day of Karthika at 3 am it starts with Ezhunullath, Alavilakin Garudan thookam (eagle hanging), Vazhipadu Kambam and thereafter starts Vazhipadu Thookam is offered by devotees for fulfill the needs and for santaana labdhi. Ezhamkulam Thookkam is annually held in the Kumbham month as per traditional Malayalam calendar followed in Kerala. The ritual is performed to please the Goddess worshipped in the shrine and is undertaken by a few devotees after doing the necessary purification rituals and vratam. Thookkakaar are pierced with a shaft hook on his back known as Choondakuthal and hung in a tall grandly decorated and lighted wooden pedestal and taken around the temple by the devotees. Hundreds of devotees participate in the Garudan Thookam festival. Editing : Jayan Janardhan (Adoor/Parakode).