Kondungallur Bharani Festival, celebrated at the
Bhagavathi Temple in
Kondungallur, is one of the oldest temple festivals in
Kerala. It falls in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April) and lasts for seven days. The highlight is a unique ritual known as Komarams, during which velichapadu (oracles) including women from different parts of the state congregate. Another prominent ritual associated with this festival is Chandanapoti Charthal or the smearing of the image with sandal paste. The pilgrimage undertaken to the shrine on this occasion is believed to safeguard one from cholera and chicken pox.
