Thrissur, Saturday, March 20, 2010: Kodungalloor Bharani fest was celebrated with great fervor and gaiety. The famed Bharani paattu was held yesterday. The special rituals held today were Variyarippayasm (nivedyam), Thalisamarppanam, and Bali arppana .

Kodungalloor Bharani is celebrated in the honor of the snowy past of Kodungalloor, which was the ancient capital of Kerala, the Kodungalloor Bharani has always been a much awaited festival of Kerala.

The region of Kodungalloor is the home to Kodungalloor Bhagavathi Temple; which incidentally is one of the wealthiest temples in India. The ceremony of Kodungalloor Bharani marks the birth of Bhadrakali, who was considered to be born from the third eye of Samhara Rudra. As myth would have it Bhadrakali went on to kill the demon Darika. The festival attracts thousands of devotees every year.

It is the largest congregation of Oracles (Velichappadu), both men and women, from all over the state. Dressed in yellow and smeared in turmeric powder with their bell - studded waist belts and swords, they create an eerie atmosphere, totally out of this world. These oracles get into frenzy and cut their forehead to offer blood to the deity.