KTM: Kerala Tourism stall is guarded by huge effigies of bullocks

Two huge kettukaalas are welcoming the visitors at Kerala Tourism stall at the 10th edition of Kerala Travel Mart held at Samudrika Convention Centre, Wellington Island, Kochi. Kettukazhcha is a display of decorated tall chariots and colourful wooden effigies of horse, bulls, etc displayed during temple festivals. The stall is an expression of the Kerala cultural heritage.

Kettukazhcha is a popular in Alappuzha, Kollam and Palakkad districts in Kerala. The Onattukara area in Alappuzha district is very famous for the Kettukazhchas. Apart from Alappuzha, they are usually spotted in the rural areas of Kollam and Palakkad districts. Of all the Kettukazhchas, Ochira Kettukazhcha, a spectacular event celebrated at the Ochira Temple in Kollam, is the most popular one. This colourful event is marked by a procession carrying huge, highly decorated effigies of Lord Shiva’s vehicle ‘Nandi’-the bull. The effigies of the pair of bulls are pulled on rathams or wooden carriages by devotees. This fascinating sight attracts scores of people to the temple premises.

Traditional Kettukazhchas have a height of about 70 to 75 feet, and is pulled by thousands of devotees to the temple and back in a huge procession. State Tourism Secretary Rani George said that the Kettukazhcha prepared in Kerala Tourism is truly realistic. There are differences between Palakkad and southern Kerala Kettukazhcha. The scenery in South Kerala makes for a great deal of decoration. But when we reach Palakkad, these forms are largely seen in villages,” she said.

Chettikulangara Bharani, Palakkad Chenakathur Pooram are two of the most important Kettukazhcha festivals in Kerala. In Chettikulangara, the chariot is decorated with 17 Kettukazhchas. The chariot will carry huge effigies of horses, the images of Bhima and Hanuman.