The Thaipooyam festival at the famous Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in Harippad, Alappuzha district is one such. This one-day festival is celebrated in the name of Lord Subrahmanya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.
Devotees from far and wide throng the temple premises during the festival. The well packed crowd of devotees makes their way towards the temple with their offerings as a pious aura envelopes the locale.
The festival celebrated in all its pomp and gaiety showcases a highly colourful ritualistic dance- the Kavadiyattom which is the main offering at this festival. Devotees carry the kavadi (richly decorated wooden arches with flowers and peacock feathers) on their shoulders and perform Kavadiyattom. Some dancers even pierce their cheeks with lances and dance in trance. This religious congregation with some of the devotees bearing the kavadi, hopping about and dancing to the rhythmic beats of the chenda, and the loud chanting of ‘haro hara’ is a sight to behold. The devotion charged atmosphere can leave a lasting effect on onlookers.