Kerala Culture

'Bhasma Kotta', basket for the ashes

'Bhasma Kotta', a wooden basket seen mostly in 'tharavadus', the traditional houses of Kerala for keeping 'Bhasmam', the ashes. The ashes are made by heating and burning dried cow dung and mixing with perfumed oils . Religiously, the ashes are considered as divine or holy.

Remnants of an old basket


Vairamkode Temple Festival, the Theeyattu


Vairamkode temple is situated in a village called Thirunavaya in Malappuram district of Kerala. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala dedicated to Godess Bhadrakaali.The temple festival of Vairamkode is held every year in the month of February. The festival is locally  called as Vairamkode Theeyattu.



 The 6 day festival from Sunday to Friday, begins with ‘Maram Muri’, the cutting of trees needed for the festival. On the coming Tuesday (considered as an auspicious day for Godesss Bhagavathy), there will be cheriya theeyattu, with small processions, poothan and thira. The festival ends with Valiya Theeyattu on Friday. There will different folk forms, kattalan(with make ups for the forest dwellers), colorful processions and other activities. The procession is very attractive and is very popular in Malabar region of Kerala. Fireworks and various cultural programmes will be held in the night. The village trade fairs are very active on these days.

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