User:KeralamAnywhere

== :Elamkavu Attuvela Mahotsavam ==

The Attuvela Mahotsavam is a 2-day water carnival on the river Vadayar culminating at the Elamkavu Bhagavathy Temple in the ‘Meenam’ month of the Malayalam calendar. This temple is located around 6 km from Vaikom en route to Kottayam. It took place on March 24 and 25, 2012. This festival celebrates the visit of Goddess Bhagavathy of Kodungalloor who is believed to be Elamkavu Devi's sister.

The main attraction of the Attuvela Mahotsavam festival is the procession of lit up canoes that carry huge temple replicas through the water towards the Elankavu Bhagavathy Temple. Goddess Bhagavathy who is the presiding idol in this temple is worshipped during this Mahotsavam. Many small canoes that are beautifully decorated with vibrant colours, and percussion music accompany the procession.

Another important ritual during this festivity is the Garudan Thookkam (Eagle hanging). The speciality here is that this is also done on small boats accompanying the procession. In Garudan Thookam, people who dress up as Garudan perform the dance and are hung from a shaft with hooks hooked to their skin. According to mythology, after slaying Darika, Kali was still thirsty and insatiable. To quench her thirst, Lord Vishnu had to send Garuda to Kali. A dancing and bleeding Garuda finally is able to pacify Goddess Kali with drops of his blood. This ritual is performed in this belief to appease the Goddess.

The Attuvela Mahotsavam Festival, 2012 was attended by thousands of people making it an even more memorable event. The beautifully illuminated canoes carrying Elankavu temple replica is a visual treat to the eyes of the on lookers.


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