Thookkam: For blessings of Devi

In Devi's faith: Thookkakaran cuddles baby to his bosom

Up.....

Up in the air

The dance after Thookkam

Preparing the Thookkakaran

Pachalloor Thookkam

The cart in front of pachapandal

Padakshinam around the temple

Pulling the cart

Thookam on top

Pulling the cart for blessings of Devi

Pachalloor Thookkam during the festival of Pachalloor Devi temple is famous. A cart is pulled encircling the temple. The cart has a long pole that shoots up to the sky and is pulled by thick coir ropes by people who participate in the festival. The men who volunteer to undertake Thookam (Thookkakaran~Malayalam) are tied to the tip pole that shoots up to the sky; they cuddle the children who have the nercha in their hands. After finishing one circle around the temple, the cart is stopped in front of Devi, who sits in the pachapanthal during the festival and the Thookkakaran is brought down along with the child. The Thookkakaran now performs a dance in front of the temple along with the parents of the child.

Pongala showers

The clear sky in Trivandrum after Pongala Showers

The heavy down pour for the past two days in Trivandrum after Attukal Pongala, as a mark of Attukal Amma's happiness over the pongala ritual, has relieved the city from the dust and heat. The water vapours that had condensed in the air after the massive ritual has been the cause of the rain.Call it Pongala Showers.

Divine glory

Attukal Amma's ezhunnellippu is accompanied by armed police as a mark of respect and authority, which is also a State ceremony.

Back to Attukal

Attukal Amma leaving Sastha temple after a brief visit to her brother's abode.

Attukalamma comes to Sastha temple

It is believed that Attukal Amma , the elder sister of  Manacaud Dharma Sastha, comes to meet him in return for his call to come to his abode. This is the legend behind the ezhunnallippu to Sastha temple. Scenes from ezhunnallippu.

Scenes from kuthiyottam

Finishing touch

Pongala is over, but the salad is irresistable!

Back home with good memories

Well done

The Trivandrum Corporation's cleaning workers deserves shakehand for their meticuluos job of cleaning the city within two hours after the pongala.

The final moments

Pongala and therali is ready for nivedyam

Waiting for the priest

Spraying the holy water

Snap shots

Volunteers in action

After fire and smoke a little cool drink

Pongala moments