Kettukazcha, also called Kutirakettu, is a colourful event celebrated
in Nooranad village located in Kollam district of South Kerala during
the months of August-September or September-October. The centre of
activity is the Oachira Temple located nearly 32 kms from Kollam on
the way to Alappuzha. A special feature of this temple is the absence
of idol here. The concept of 'Parabrahmam' (Cosmic Consciousness)
is given importance here. It is from this temple that the procession
of decorated effigies of Lord Shiva's vehicle 'Nandi', the bull is
carried out. This picturesque and gay festival of rural Kerala attracts
thousands of people every year.
The Procession of Bulls
Each pair of bulls that is carried in procession has a significant
story attached to it having relevance to the presiding deity, the
Devi or the Goddess of the temple, where they finally assemble for
further ceremonies.
These huge, towering motifs of bulls in pairs are pulled on rathams
or wooden carts by the devotees. These motifs are brought as an offering
to deity on wish fulfillment by the devotees. Artisans of various
villages in the vicinity vie with each other for the most intricately
decorated motifs. The biggest structure can be as big as 70-80 feet
tall. These are carried on the shoulders and sometimes placed on chariots
and taken around the shrine. Scholars believe that the tradition of
Kettukazcha has its roots in the Buddhism which was prevalent in the
Kerala during the 3rd century B.C.
The other high point of the festival is that people from different
Karas adjoining the temple concerned bring big cars or rathams. On
these rathams are located idols of various Hindu Gods and goddesses
and effigies of mythological characters like Bhima, Panchali Hanuman.
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