OCCULT IN KERALA
Main Occult Practices followed in Kerala: Evil Eye, Fire Walking, Snake Cult, Witch Craft
Important Deities associated with such Practices: Kaali and Kuttichattan
Belief
in Supernatural and the Pracitces associated with it are in broad terms,
the same in Kerala as in the rest of India.
But they differ in specific details and actual forms of expression. A
survey conducted among College educated people revealed that 65% believe
in supernatural phenomenon and more than 80% believe in God.
Evil Eye:
Belief in the effects of the evil eye is very strong, Buildings under
construction are fully covered to protect it from the public view and an
effigy is placed to divert the attention of onlookers.
In villages, some of the persons are often identified as 'Karinakku'
(Evil Tongue). And it is believed that their attention or remark on some
object or person can cause an almost immediate destructive effect. Fire
Walking and Other Rituals:
Fire Walking is fairly common in Kerala. It is mostly associated with
temple festivals, but the Shia Muslims also perform the same during
Muharram. The walk is an
offering to some god or goddess and is performed after a period of
penance. Another ritual requires devotees to pierce needles, spears or
hooks through the skin to propitiate the deity.
'Thookam'
and 'Koottiyattam'
supposed to be remnants of rites involving human sacrifices, are
spectacular offerings at Kaali Temples. In Thookam, the devotees would
hang suspended from a big wheel or bow by metal hooks that pierce the
skin.
In 'Koottiyattam' young
children would wound themselves with knives and circle the temples in high
religious fervour. These days however, devotees are bound to the thokkam
wheel with cloths instead of metal hooks and the children performing
Koottiyattam do not hurt themselves.
Kuttichattan : A Poltergeist God
'Poltergeist' is a German word meaning ' mischievous god' and refers to
temporary disturbances of a minor sort, often involving psychokinesis and
usually around a troubled adolescent.
The phenomenon follows a strikingly similar pattern all over the world.
In Kerala too, such disturbances are attributed to a mischievous child
god, 'Kuttichattan' . Chattan is probably a derivative of Sastha , a
popular deity , and Kuttichattan represents a child version of the god.
Know more about this Package !!!
279/A, Masjid Moth, South Extention - II
New Delhi - 110 049 (INDIA)
Tel : +91-11-4164 3999 / 2626 2004
Fax : +91-11-2625 9695
Email : info@indiainfoweb.com
Home | Attractions | Destinations | Hotels | Tour Packages | Travel Agents | Help DeskDisclaimer | Privacy Policy | Old Site | Feedback / Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 India Infoweb. All Rights Reserved.