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The Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Thookkam is a grand ritualistic festival celebrated at the Sree Bhadrakali Temple in Kollemcode, located on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The festival, typically held in March or April, is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, known for her fierce yet protective nature. The central ritual, Thookkam, involves devotees being suspended from a wooden beam with hooks pierced into their backs, symbolizing ultimate surrender and devotion to the goddess. This intense act is believed to bring divine blessings and fulfill vows. The festival also includes vibrant processions, cultural performances, and traditional music, blending Tamil and Malayalam traditions to reflect the region's unique heritage.
In addition to Thookkam, the festival is marked by a variety of offerings and prayers, such as pongala and kuthiyottam, performed with deep devotion. Thousands of devotees from Kerala and Tamil Nadu gather to participate, emphasizing the temple's role as a cultural and spiritual hub. The event fosters a strong sense of community, with people united in their reverence for Goddess Bhadrakali. The Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Thookkam not only showcases the rich cultural tapestry of the region but also reinforces the timeless bond between faith and tradition.
The Thookkam ritual at Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Temple is a unique and deeply spiritual practice performed during the temple's annual festival. This ritual involves devotees being suspended in the air using hooks pierced through the skin on their backs, symbolizing their unwavering devotion and surrender to Goddess Bhadrakali. The act is often undertaken as a fulfillment of vows or to seek the goddess's blessings for health, prosperity, and protection. Despite its physically demanding nature, participants view it as a sacred offering, emphasizing their trust in the goddess's divine power.
This ritual, accompanied by traditional music and vibrant processions, is a key highlight of the festival, drawing thousands of devotees and spectators. It reflects the temple's deep-rooted cultural and spiritual significance, blending devotion with acts of courage and sacrifice. The Thookkam ritual not only underscores the spiritual fervor of the devotees but also strengthens the community's collective faith in the protective and benevolent powers of Goddess Bhadrakali.
Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion at the Kollemcode Sree Bhadhrakali Temple, honoring Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of new beginnings. Though the temple's primary deity is Goddess Bhadhrakali, Lord Ganesha holds a significant place in the temple rituals.
On this auspicious day, special poojas, homams, and abhishekams are performed for Lord Ganesha. Devotees offer modak (kozhukatta), bananas, and durva grass, seeking his blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and success. The temple premises are adorned with decorations, and the event fosters a festive and spiritual atmosphere.