Garudan Thookkam – A bird in ritual art - Thookkam or Garudan Thookkam is a ritual art. Garudan Thookkam is often performed as an offering in homes. The offering or vow is performed on the occasion of festivals in goddess temples, especially in Kali temples.
The Thookkam artist enters the temple Ritual The Thookkam artist, dressed as Garuda, wears wings and a sharp beak reminiscent of Garuda, and steps forward with other costumes according to the Chenda Mela. After midnight, the Thookkam and the family members performing the weighing return to the temple accompanied by musical instruments. Upon reaching the temple, they bow down to the goddess and dance. It is believed that this removes all the evils in the house where the Thookkam offering is made. Then, the weightlifter is symbolically tied to the hanging bow prepared in the temple. The weightlifter is tied to the hanging bow in the form of a flying eagle. The weightlifter steps on the temple of the goddess with his wings spread Mythology The belief behind the ritual art of Garuda weightlifting is related to Goddess Bhadrakali. The goddess became furious after setting out to kill the demon Darika. After killing Darika, in order to appease Bhadrakali, who was bloodthirsty and angry, Vishnu sent his vehicle Garuda to the goddess. Then, Garuda danced in front of Kali to please her, and after that, Garuda offered his blood to Kali. Legend has it that after drinking Garuda's blood, Kali's anger subsided. The weight artist is guided by the light of the lantern Weight Experiences When the weight artist dresses up as a Garuda, he becomes a Garuda. His steps and actions are like those of a bird. The worshippers offer the weight artist his beaks to the devotees. In my childhood, I remember being scared when I saw the weight artist who came to carve the coin in his hand while the weight was being performed at my ancestral home. Even today, there has been no major change in such things. I have often seen the children of neighbors and relatives who come to the house where the weight is being performed looking at the weight artist with fear. NB There is a person in our group who used to make fun of samayapuram Kali etc unwittingly; and behold similarity here K Rajaram IRS 3725 NB 2 In Trivandrum, several devi temples have Garudan thookkam, which literally translated as "eagle hanging". Several hundreds of devotees offer this to satisfy their family deity "Bhadra kaali". Infants are also participated by their elders. During the performance it reminds the flight of Garuda ( the divine eagle), pouring flowers to devotees around the temple 3 times! The perfomers are dressed up like Garuda the divine eagle, aboard Vishnu. Moreover, it's a reflection of Kerala's tradition and art. This ritual is performed at Pallikkalkavu Bhagavathi temple (Njeezhoor, Kottayam (Dist)) on Makara Bharani day. This ritual was performed at Koottekkavu Bhagavathy temple (Amballoor,Ernakulam Dist) on Meenabharani. Arayankavu Bhagavathi temple Ernakulam dist (on Pooram, Meenam) and Irapuram Devi temple near perumbavoor (on Kumbha Bharani day) has the highest number of garudan thookkam in Kerala. More than 100 Garudan performers perform in these temples every year. Arayankavu Bhagavathy temple holds the world record for presenting the largest performance of Garudan thookkam. Garudanthoookam is also performed in Polassery Bhagavathi temple in [Polassery, vaikom] in Kottayam district on meenabharani . Garudanthookam is performed in this temple in every year. NB 3 https://youtu.be/S5Puio3JCiE you tube Garudan tookkam On Thu, 3 Jul 2025 at 12:39, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > THE ARAYANKAVU BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, ARAYANKAVU, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, KERALA - > COMPILED > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about The Arayankavu Bhagavathy Temple dedicated to > the goddess Bhadrakali, located in Arayankavu, Ernakulam district, Kerala. > *It's > known for its strict rituals and devotion to the serpent god. The temple is > particularly famous for the "Garudan Thookkam" ritual performed during the > "Pooram*" festival in the Malayalam month of "Meenam". The temple is > about 18 KM from Tripoonithura and about 8KM from Chottanikkara. > > Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 03-07-2025 > > Key Features: > > Deity: Bhadrakali (Hindu mother goddess). > > Location: Arayankavu, Kanjiramattom-Thalappara Road, Kulayettikkara PO, > Ernakulam. > > Rituals: Strict rituals, including the "Garudan Thookkam" during "Pooram". > > Devotion: Strong devotion to the serpent god. > > Popularity: One of the most popular temples in Ernakulam. > > "Garudan Thookkam": A ritual where devotees swing from a wooden beam > (formerly on hooks) as part of the festival. > > Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance and exit. > > Additional Information: > > *The temple is also known as the "Mother of All Poorams".* > > Introduction > > Arayankavu Bhagavathy Temple is one of the famous Bhadrakali Temples in > Kerala. The Temple has it’s the rare form of Bhadrakali on most pious “ > Shantha Bhava “. This temple is famous for performing Garudan Thookkam > (Eagle Hanging), a significant ritual attracting numerous devotees, > especially during the Pooram festival in the Malayalam month of Meenam. > > Legend > > The temple's legend is steeped in local lore, involving a miraculous event > where *the sickle of a worker struck a stone, and blood started oozing > out*. Recognizing the divine presence, the Puthuvamana Brahmin family > built a temple on the spot to honour the deity. > > History > > The Arayankavu Bhagavathy Temple in Ernakulam is believed to have been > established several centuries ago. The temple is dedicated to the goddess > Bhagavathy, revered for her protective and benevolent nature. The temple is > known for its serene atmosphere and is considered a place of healing and > blessings. > > Chief deity and sub deities > > The sankalpam of Bhagavathy here is that of Goddess Bhadrakali. > > The upa devatas worshiped in the temple are *Shiva, Ayyappa, Yakshi, > Goddess Annapurna and Nagas*. > > Poojas > > The daily poojas (worship rituals) at Arayankavu Temple in Ernakulam > typically include morning and evening pujas. These pujas involve the > offering of flowers, fruits, and prayers, with rituals like arati (waving > of lights) and abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity). Specific timings > for these pujas can vary, so it's best to check with the temple directly > for the most accurate schedule. > > Temple Timings > > The temple opens at 5:30 am > > 5:30 AM: Nada Thurakkal Temple closes at 10:15 am > > Temple opens at 5:30 pm 6:30 AM: Deeparadhana > > Temple closes at 7:15 pm > > Festivals > > *Garudan Thookam* held as part of the annual festival of Arayankavu > Bhagavathy Temple in Ernakulam. Garudan Thookkam is a *ritual artform > popular in the central part of Kerala*. It is conducted mostly in Goddess > temples situated in Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki districts. > Arayankavu Bhagavathy Temple is famous for Garudanthookkam, which are > performed during the days of Pooram in Meenam > > The 5-day annual festival in the temple is famous as Arayankavu Pooram > and is held on Pooram nakshatra day in Malayalam Meena Masam (March – > April). > > Idi Pooram - Idi Pooram is celebrated on the Pooram days of the Libra > and Scorpio months . The new members of the family perform this ritual in > front of the temple with rice ural . After them , women with hereditary > rights also participate . > > Mandala Mahotsavam : Every year, from the 1st day of the Vrischikam > month for 41 days during the Mandala period , special Deeparadhana , > writing and singing are held daily as offerings by the devotees . > > Other important Festivals and Days are :Makam every month, Karthika in > Vrichikam, Navarathri and Dhwaja Prathishta in Mithunam > > Special Poojas > > On the day of Ayilyam , a special Chatushatham ( Payasam ) offering is > offered to the Goddess during the midday puja . This offering is a > divine medicine that cures all diseases . Hundreds of devotees come to the > temple to buy it as prasad and eat it . > > On the day of Ayilyam , after the night prayers , the ceremony called > Ariyeru is held at eleven o'clock . The Panakkars are considered the > soldiers of the Goddess . Ariyeru is a special ritual performed by them , > wearing red silk , under the guidance of the Kottiyattu Ilayathi and the > leader of the army , Mundakkal Panikkar . The weapons training and weapon > poojas given to the soldiers before the great battle waged by Bhadrakali > Arayankavilamma *to kill Daruka are performed here .* The battle site is > also purified . After this, the Goddess is welcomed by the women with > Thalapoli accompanied by the soldiers . > > On Makam day , the beautiful divine form of Arayankavilamma , wielding > various weapons in all sixteen hands , is specially inscribed as a Kalam in > the large temple of the temple . Early in the morning, the Goddess is > brought to the Kalam with a welcome of shouts and shouts . Five pujas are > performed in this Kalam that day . > > Some important offerings in the temple > > Abhishekam - 1001 Kudam₹2000 > > Arippara₹120 Arukula Nivedhyam₹50 > > Arunaazhi Paayasam₹1000 > > Ashtadravya Ganapathy Homam₹600 > > Bhagavathy Seva₹600 Deeparadhana₹600 > > Devi Maahathmyam₹100 Ganapathy Homam₹100 > > Kadum Payasam₹150 Koottu Payasam₹100 > > Lalitha Sahasranama Archana₹100 > > Nanaya Para (Big)₹1001 Niramala₹1000 > > Oru Divasathe Pooja₹600 Pantheerunazhi₹5000 > > Pizhinju Payasam₹200 Thrikaalapooja₹600 > > Thrikaalapooja₹600 Usha Payasam₹100 > > Shathrusamhara Manthra Pushpanjali₹50 > > Udayaasthamana Pooja₹30000 > > Address of temple > > Arayankavu Bhagavathi temple , Kanjiramattom-Thalappara Road, > Kulayettikkara PO, Ernakulam, Kerala 682315.Phone: 085478 35933 > > Location of the temple > > It is about 30 km south-east of Ernakulam and 18 km east of Tripunithura. > By road, Arayankavu is easily accessible from Kanjiramattom (4 km), > Tripunithura and Ernakulam. > > Administration > > The administration of Arayankavu Temple in Ernakulam is managed by the > Travancore Devaswom Board. This board is responsible for the administration > and management of numerous temples in the region. Specifically, the temple > falls under the jurisdiction of the Muvattupuzha Group of the Travancore > Devaswom Board. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/165541441.1259297.1751526429843%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/165541441.1259297.1751526429843%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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