The Bhagavathy temple at Kaliyattamukku, near Tirurangadi, hosted a Kaliyattom festival on Friday. Thousands of people from different parts of Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrisssur and Kozhikode districts thronged to witness the traditional agricultural festival.
For farmers, the event provided a platform to buy seeds for the coming season.
Heralding rains
Kaliyattom is a festival celebrated on the last Friday of May to herald the rains.
Processions carrying Poykuthira made of palm leaves from different parts of the district converged at Kaliyattamukku before seeking the blessings of the goddess.
The festival is also known for its communal amity. Police had made elaborate arrangements for the festival, which drew a record crowd. Traffic along the National Highway 17 was diverted to avert jamming at Thalappara.
Many cockerels were sacrificed at the temple. Cockerel sacrifice has traditionally been considered an integral part of Kaliyattom. Although there was a court ban the ritual following the intervention of the Rationalists Association a couple years ago, the practice continues without any change.
