Kaliyata Festival is celebrated at
Ali Chamundi Kshetram in Arikkady Village, which is 15 km east of
Kasargod. It is a ten-day festival observed in the month of March. The festival features a unique tradition of worshipping a Muslim deity through Hindu rituals.
Bhoota dance is the major attraction of the festival. Certain selected persons dance skillfully wearing colorful costumes. Another attractive performance is the dance of Poomudi Bhoota where the dancer wears red colored dress with one tower shaped creation of 20 ft in height. The festival ends on the tenth day with the darshan and dance of Ali Bhoota and Goddess Chamundi. Ali Bhoota wears a tube-shaped silver crown with golden halo and also holds a shield. Goddess Chamundi appears finally and the dancer holds one sharp edged sword in one hand and a bronze bell in the other.
It is believed that if the devotees gather here on this occasion their wishes would be fulfilled.
