Garudan Thookkam is a famous ritual art form of Kerala usually performed at Goddess Kali Temples in south Kerala, India. Garudan Thookkam (Eagle Hanging or hanging of God Garuda or the Eagle God) is usually performed as an offering to the Goddess Bhadrakali and people from various parts of the state and country come to do the offering.
How Garudan Thookkam is Performed
Garudan Thookam is performed as part of the
Kumbha Bharani Festival every year. The participating people will be dressed up like Garuda (the Vahana of
Hindu God Vishnu) and dance to the tune of the chenda, maddalam, cymbals and horns used. After this performance the garudas are pierced at their back with a hook and the bleeding garudas go around the temple and bow before the goddess for her blessings.
Garudan Thookkam is a most prominent ritual in Travancore and Kochi and is mainly performed at Elamkavu Devi Temple at Vaikom,
Varanad Devi Temple in Alappuzha, and Airapuram Temple at Perumbavoor. This year, Kumbha Bharani Festival is on 28th February 2012 and Meena Bharani Festival is on 26th March 2012.
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