Valliyoorkavu Mahotsavam
Date:15-03-2019 to 28-03-2019
The Valliyoorkavu Bhagavathy Temple, located near Mananthavady in Wayanad district is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Worshipped in three of principal forms of Goddess- Vana Durga, Bhadrakali and Jala Durga, the temple is famous for the annual 14-day festival. The festival falls in the Malayalam month of Meenam (From 1-14).
The sword of Valliyooramma will be brought from the Palliyara Bhagavathy temple at Pandikkadavu near Mananthavady by the chief priest on the first day, which marks the beginning of the festival. Here the kodiyettu (ceremonial flag hoisting) is performed only on the seventh day of the festival by tribal chieftains.
The temple has many numerous rituals held during the festival include the oppana varavu, a procession from Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple at Kallody near Mananthavady and Adiyaras, a procession with tender coconut for abhishekam (ablution) marks the arattu of Valliyooramma. The festival concluded when the oppana varavu returns to Cheramkode Bhagavathy temple after the rudhirakkolam, a symbolic fight between Goddess and the demon king, Darika, in which the Bhagavathy wins.
During the festival, the temple premises witness the performance of traditional ritual arts like Kalamezhuthum pattum, Eedum koorum (a special dance performed by orcales) and Sopananritham. The tribal dance performed by the tribe here using folk percussion instruments are another highlight of this festival.
Main Attraction
Oppana Varavu, Abhishekam, Rudhirakkolam, Kalamezhuthum Pattum, Eedum Koorum
