Chooral Adavi, a temple ritual, was held as part of the Padayani festival at the Puthenkvail Bhagavathy temple at Kurampala, near Pandalam, with religious fervour on Friday night.
A large number of devotees thronged the small village of Kurampala on Friday evening to witness the event held once in every five years. More than 1,000 devotees took part in the rolling on the temple ground, after observing strict penance in preparation of the ritual.
Wrapping themselves in fresh thorny rattan plants, they rolled on the ground, bleeding all over. Devotees consider the blood oozing out of their body as an offering to the presiding deity, Bhadrakaali.
The Padayani festival at the Puthenkavil Bhagavathy Temple has many unique features. The temple is situated in the middle of a sacred grove (kavu) full of herbs, huge trees and, creepers.
Goddess Bhadrakaali, in her fierce mood, is worshipped here. This year’s Padayani festival will come to a close with the Bhairavi kolam performance on Tuesday.
