Koda festival is celebrated in the Mandaikadu Bhagavati Amman Temple at Mandaikadu in
Kanyakumari District. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavati Amman, considered to be the Mother goddess. This festival is held in the Malayalam month of Kumbam (February-March).
Goddess Bhagavati Amman is believed to cure her devotees from any possible disease. People throng to the temple to get the blessing of the goddess to relive them of their diseases. Offerings of rice, pepper, jaggery (coarse brown Indian sugar), turmeric, dolls, silver and wood pieces indicating the body part inflicted with the disease are made to the deity.
This festival concludes on the last Tuesday of the month. A special worshipping ritual called ‘Odukka puja’ is held in the midnight. A holy liquid made from lime, turmeric and other necessary ingredients is offered to the goddess.
