Chettikulangara Bharani Festival, Mevelikkara, Alappuzha district

At Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Kshethram- The highlight of the festival are Kuthiyottam, Kettukazha and Kathakali.

Kuthiyottam- (6am-11am)- The boys whose bodies are coiled with silver wires with one end of which is tied around his neck and an arecanut fixed on the tip of a knife held high over his head are taken in procession to the temple with the accompaniment of drums, music, ornamental umbrellas etc ( some groups with caparisoned elephants).  After a ritualistic performance by the boys the ceremony ends with dragging the coil pierced to the skin whereby a few drop of blood comes out. 

Kettukazhcha- Huge decorated effigies of chariots, figures of the characters from the Hindu mythology Bhima, Hanuman, Panchali are taken to the temple in a wheeled platform by the villagers from 13 neighbouring places (Kara) and are paraded at the paddy field in front of the temple. This procession starts from the respective places by mid day and reaches the temple by evening (between 4pm-7pm). During night, the image of the deity is taken to the field by procession to bless the Kettukazhcha. These are then taken back to the respective places by next morning. If you travel across these villages prior to the festival day, you can see its construction and the involvement of the villagers. 

9.30pm- Overnight performance of Kathakali

Location/access: At Chettikulangara, near Mavelikkara in Alappuzha dt and in between on the main road from Chengannur to Kayamkulam.