Pindi Perunnal

Pindi Perunnal is the local name used in Thrissur region of Kerala State, India for the feast of Epiphany(Denha thirunnal). Denha (Epiphany) is an ancient and important feast of the Saint Thomas Christians. Saint Thomas Christians, like other Eastern Christians, celebrate Denha (Epiphany) as a great feast to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan. The liturgical season Denhakalam (Weeks of Epiphany) commemorates the second revelation at the Baptism and the following public life of Jesus. Denha is celebrated on January 6 by Syro-Malabarians in two ways - Pindiperunnal ("Plantain trunk feast") and Rakkuliperunal ("feast with a night bath").

Pindiperunal is common mostly in the northern areas like Trichur region. A specially decorated plantain trunk is erected in front of houses with many torches attached to it. On the previous night of Denha celebration, the family members used to go around it singing a Syriac hymn "El Paiya", which means "God is light". Special dishes are prepared during this time, especially meat dishes. Some parishes organise competitions for the best decorated plantain. There are special prayers conducted in certain churches.

Rakkuliperunal is popular in the southern areas like Pala and Muvattupuzha. In imitation of Jesus' Baptism, people used to perform a ritual bath in nearby ponds or rivers singing psalms and other hymns on the previous night (ravu) of the feast of Denha. Thus, the feast began to be known as Rakkuliperunal or 'feast with a night bath'.

Christians further south, e.g. Kollam, have a similar celebration on the same day as Christmas by putting up decorated "pindis" during the procession from church to mark the end of the Christmas period. But, it is not called by any particular name there.