Kuthiyottam

Kuthiyottam is one of the main offering at the Chettikulangara Devi Temple and at kadakkal devi temple and at the Mathira Peedika Devi Temple near Kadakkal in Kollam District of Kerala.It is a ritualistic symbolic representation of human bali (Human Sacrifice).

Kali Goddess Kali Main article: Kali

Kali is one of the most significant divinities, and many texts and contexts treat Kali as an independent deity, not directly associated with a male god. In case she is associated with a male god, it is invariably Shiva. In this aspect, she represents the omnipotent Shakti of Shiva. She holds both the creative and destructive power of time.

The earliest references to Kali in Hindu tradition date back to the 6th century, and locate her in the battlefields fighting asuras. Her temples are recommended to be built away from human habitations. Vana Bhatta's 7th-century drama Kadambari features a goddess named Chandi, an epithet of both Kali and Durga.

Kali’s most famous appearance in battle contexts are found in the Devi Mahatmya when during the battle with asuras, Durga becomes angry. Her face turns pitch dark, and suddenly Kali springs forth from Durga’s forehead. She is black, wears a garland of human heads, is clothed in a tiger skin, and wields a staff topped by a human skull. She destroys the asuras. Later, Durgoa seeks her assistance once more to annihilate Raktabija. Kali’s mythology recounts several such appearances, mostly in terrible aspects.

Young two boys between 8 and 14 years are taught Kuthiyottam, a ritual dance in the house amidst a big social gathering before the portrait of the deity. Early in the morning on Bharani, after the feast and other rituals, the boys whose body is pierced with a silver wire, one end of which is tied around their belly and an arecanut fixed on the tip of a knife held high over their head are taken in procession to the temple with the accompaniment of beating of drums, music, ornamental umbrellas, and other classical folk art forms, and richly caparisoned elephants.All through the way to the temple tender coconut water will be continually poured on their body. After the circumambulation the boys stands at a position facing the Sreekovil (Sanctum Sanctorum) and begins to dance. This ceremony ends with dragging the wire pierced to the skin whereby a few drops of blood comes out. Kuthiyotta Kalaris’, run by Kuthiyotta Asans (Teachers or leaders), train the group to perform the dances and songs. Normally, the training starts about one to two months before the season.Boys of this locality received well training in performing Kuthiyotta chuvadu (dance)and paattu (song) from their childhood itself.

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