Monkombu Garudan Thookkam is the annual festival of the
Monkombu Bhagavathi Temple. The festivities last for eight days starting from
Vishu.
There are processions conducted on all evenings along with Vela Kali. The pallivettai on the 7th night and the Aarattu on the 8th morning attract scores of people.
On the 10th night after Vishu, on Pathamudayam, the Garudan Thookam is held. This ritual is considered the most ardent offering to the goddess Monkombu Bhagavati. It is believed to be equivalent to 'narabali' (human sacrifice).
For this ceremony, two persons who act like Garudan are entrusted the job and they go around village in procession. On its way, it stops at many places where the Garudan will dance and throw bananas to children and finally return to the temple. After reaching the temple, the Garudan is pierced with a needle on his back. The Garudan is then hung on ropes in a crane like structure and is taken around the temple.
The only other place where Garudan Thookkam is held is Elavur, near
Thrissur.
