Bhayankavu Bhagavathi Temple
Bhayankavu Bhagavathi Temple is a Bhagavathi temple on the Alathiyoor Pallikadavu Road in Kavilakkad, Purathur, Tirur situated in Malappuram district, about 14km from Tirur town.
The temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathi. Three main festivals are celebrated in Bhayankavu. The first one is on Thulam 1st (the middle of the month of October). The second one is known as 'Makarachovva' (second Tuesday of Malayalam month 'Makaram'.) The annual Thalappoli ritual in the temple is observed according to the Malayalam calendar in the Kumbham month.[1]
During the 'Thalappoli' festival the ritual 'Pavakkooth' (a shadow play like as doll-play, but where only the shadows of different characters of Hindu deities can be seen) is conducted in the temple throughout the month of 'Kumbam' (normally February 16 to March 15). During these days, "Kalamezhuthu" is conducted in the Temple.The next Thalappoli is on March 14 2017
The coloured powders used for the kalam are prepared from natural products only. The pigments are extracted from plants - rice flour (white), charcoal powder (black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered green leaves (green), and a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red). It often takes more than two hours to finish a kalam drawing with appealing perfection. Decorations like a canopy of palm fronds, garlands of red hibiscus flowers and thulasi or Ocimum leaves are hung above the kalam. Also during the festival, women carry lighted lamps and move in a procession to the temple for peace and prosperity. Normally, hundreds of devotees participate to witness this important ritual in the temple. [2]
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Coordinates: 10°49′08″N 75°55′18″E / 10.8188902°N 75.9217447°E