Pettathullal

Pettathulal, also known as Petta Kettu, is a historic ritualistic dance held annually on the 27th of Dhanu at Erumely, in the district of Kottayam, in the Indian state of Kerala. It is performed during the Mandalam - Makaravilakku period (November, December and January) among thousands of devotees. It depicts the joyfulness of people over the slaying of Mahishi by Lord Ayyappa. Two groups actively participate in the ''thullal'', one from Ambalappuzha and other from Aalangadu. The Ambalappuzha group starts their journey to Erumely on the 22nd of Dhanu and a couple of days before the ''thullal''. They visit the Manimala Bhagavathy temple on 25th Dhanu and perform an ''Aazhi pooja.'' Before the Ambalappuzha ''thullal'', a ''Krishna parunth'' (sacred eagle) flies around in the sky. It is believed that lord Vishnu himself arrives from Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna temple on his mount Garuda to witness the ''thullal''.

Pettathullal is a symbolic representation of a community against the uprisings of Adharma or injustice. By slaying the demoness Mahishi, Ayyappa empowered the people by saying that "Unity is the key to social transformation".

Ritual

The custom of Pettathullal starts with 'Prayashchitham' or atonement which is done to seek forgiveness for the intentional and unintentional sins committed during the ''vrata'' ''kalam'' (fasting period) by placing a coin and betel leaf on the holy ''irumudikettu'' or travel kit. The next custom is the offering of ''Pettapanam kettal'' or Dakshina to Periyaswami. The ''kanni'' Ayyappas are instructed to carry a bundle, tied to a stick on their shoulders, which will be filled by vegetables and cereals.

The pilgrims participating in Pettathullal often come in groups and chant "''Ayyappa thinthakathom, Swamy thinthakathom''". They dress like tribes with their bodies and faces smeared by colours and charcoal, and carry weapons such as ''sarakkol'' (arrows) and wooden maces. An important element is that of Kanni Ayyappas''', where the first-timers to Sabarimala must participate in the ''thullal'' by holding a wooden arrow. The ''thullal'' is accompanied by instrumental music such as Chenda melam, Nagaswaram, Pambamelam, mantras, and hymns that begin at the Petta Sree Dharmasastha temple (Kochambalam) adjacent to the Vavar ''masjid''.

The pilgrims then proceed to Vavar mosque and are harmoniously welcomed by Mahallu Jamaat committee members. After taking a circuit around the mosque, a representative of Vavar accompanies the group to the Sastha temple (Valiyambalam) about 0.5 km away. The ''thullal'' of Alangadu group is held in the afternoon. The Aalangadu group expects a star to twinkle in the sky before the sunset. The festivities end with a circuit of the temple by the pilgrims. They abandon their weapons at the temple roof and bathe in Peeruthodu river. Both groups light camphors at the temple and seek the blessings of Ayyappa to continue their journey to Sabarimala.

References

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Ritual dances