Kalakat Illam - Kaliyattam

Kaliyattam

Kaliyattam basically means the Play of God. It is a traditional social ceremony with tremendous religious importance which had been in existence since ancient times, mostly practiced in the Northern part of Kerala. Kaliyattam is a term that can be used for festivals in temples and other sacred places.
There is a practice of conducting a three day "Utsavam" (Malayalam name for Festival) at Kalakat Illam, which is also known as "Kaliyattam". This is conducted on 10th, 11th, and 12 January every year. People from different parts of Southern India rush in to see the Theyyam, an ancient traditional dance form of Northern Kerala. A foreign crowd is also seen sometimes for their academic researches.
People of selected caste vannaan, malayan etc. around the area put costumes and face paintings traditionally to depict the God's bhoothaganangal or gods themselves. During Kaliyattam, the Illam is painted new, many Brahmins come for different poojas and to witness the flamboyant festival. There will be different types of "Daanam"(sharing of wealth to get blessed). Gurussi or Guruthi (means sacrifice) is also offered to the deity in the first night of the start of Kaliyattam. Guruthi is a depiction of offering to the Shakthi(Bhagavathy) and seek her blessings. This ritual along with traditional lamps, pandams (fire at tip of a long broad stick) and Chenda-melam, is beautiful as well as a horrifying sight. The Guruthi tharpanam is performed with a huge vessel which is filled with a mixture or turmeric, burning lime and water which would be blood red in color. Those who witness the invigorating Guruthi performance, finds it as an indescribable event. Devotees from Kodagu (Coorg) District of Karnataka are frequent visitors to the Illam. Because of the powers of Mantras and Poojas at the time of Guruthi people begin to lose their consciousness and start thullal (uranju thullal). It is also said that the ritual of Guruthi Tharpanam cures a woman suffering from mental abnormalities. These uncommon sights are solely part of the Kalakat Illam Aura. Long stretch of poojas and a Thayambaka is also performed before the Guruthi.