Thaindian News

Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Mar. Devotees in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta District offered prayers on Saturday by piercing their bodies with sharp hooks. They also rolled over bamboo thorns as part of tradition.

At the Ezhamkulam Temple, the devotees practice ‘Tookkam’ in the month of March every year, in which they hang themselves on sharp hooks attached to a wooden plate by piercing their body.

People believe that this practice would remove all their miseries and bring wealth and glory to the village.

“Our whole weight is balanced on the hook, there is nothing other than that to balance our body. It is our belief that that protects us. One can achieve anything by performing this ritual,” said Rajan, a devotee.

At the nearby Kurampal Devi Temple, another unique traditional ritual is practiced as part of the temple festival.

The cane rolling is a modern form of Nara-bali or human sacrifice and is practiced every five years with great religious fervor. It is done on the ninth day of the temple festival.

During this, devotees roll over the thorns of bamboo sticks and the blood that comes out of their body is offered to the Goddess.

“To impress the Goddess, instead of human sacrifice, this cane rolling is performed. This practice is as old as the temple itself. The ritual is still continuing,” said Unnikrishnan, a temple committee member. (ANI)