Perumithitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy

Perumthitta Tharavad is a popular festival that is being celebrated in Kottamkuzhy, Kasaragod District of Kerala near Chandrapuram. This is an annual festival which attracts a large crowd from all over the country. This is rated as one among the most popular festivals of the state. Perumthitta Theyyam festival is one of the oldest ritual art forms of Kerala where most of the Theyyam forms are on display and is really a grand affair. The pomp and grandeur of the Theyyams are charming and is helping to keep the ancient tradition alive this.

Festival

This is a ten-day Theyyam festival held at Perumithitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy. This festival is a grand affair which showcases an array of Theyyams where the colorful ritual dance of Kerala which is recognized as one of the oldest folk art forms of India. Theyyam dance is not a single dance form rather a collection of about 400 dance forms each representing a mythological, historical character. During the festival, Theyyam varieties like Elayor Theyyam, Chamundi Theyyam, Panchoorla Theyyam and Muthor Theyyam are presented. The festival includes dance, mime, music, and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures. This is adhered with great importance to the worship of heroes and ancestral spirits. This week long festival is being held in the premises of Perumthitta Tharawad at Kottamkuzhy every year.

Time of Celebration

This is a well recognized form of Theyyam festivals which is being held around the time of New Year’s Eve. It is observed that the tentative date is from December to January. The festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam Calendar in Kerala. The dates of some traditional, customary and auspicious events are also influenced by local practices. Falling under this category, the dates of the Perumthitta Tharavad festival are approximate which needs to be confirmed with the local authorities.

Features

Theyyam is high on entertainment value as well as has a great religious significance. A large number of rituals are being performed as per the traditions of the state all through the festival. These dances are among the oldest forms of art in India. The dance carnival which is held at Kottamkuzhy is truly a visual treat for every onlooker who arrives here from different places of the country. Colorful costumes, body painting and trance-like performances are included in these dances. These performances are accompanied with splendid ancient shrines and temples contributing to the atmosphere. The festival is generally lasts for ten days spreading across December-January.

Interesting places to visit

There are many places near to Kasaragod like Anandashramam is about 5 kilometers to the east of the Kanhangad Railway Station. Chandragiri Fort lies 3 kilometers to the south of south of Kasaragod. Cheruvathur which is a place of illustrious poets and scholars of the Kuttamath Kunniyur family is a picnic spot and lies near to Kasaragod. Edneer Mutt is at about 10 kilometers to the northeast of Kasargod. Bellikoth in Ajanoor village which is renowned as the birthplace of poet P. Kunhiraman Nair, who was a veteran freedom fighter is a cultural center of the district. Kariangode River running through the hills and Dales of Hosdurg Taluk and Madiyan Kulom temple is situated in Ajanur village. Our Lady of Sorrows Church is at about 15 kilometers north of Kasargod. Valiyaparamba is 5 kilometers south-west of Cheruvathur, Hosdurga Fort, Nityanandasramam about half a kilometer south of the Hosdurg taluk office, Adoor at 45 kilometers east of Kasargod town, Trikkanad and Pandyan Kallu near the Bekal fort, Ananthapura Lake Temple, Bekal Fort, Govinda Pai Memorial In Manjeswar and Veermala Hills are the other tourist attractions nearby Kasaragod. One can have the chance to visit all the tourist attractions during the arrival to Perumthitta Tharavad.

How to Reach

By Road
One can reach Perumthitta through the route: Bekal – Palakunnu – Mudiyakkal – Chandrapuram - Perumthitta.

By Rail
The nearest railway station is Kasaragod which is at about 26 kilometers.

By Air
The nearest airport is Mangalore airport which is located in the neighbouring state, Karnataka and is about 50 kilometers from Kasaragod.