Thookkam Festival at Kollankodu Bhadrakali Amman Temple – Devotion, Tradition, and Dedication!
The Kollankodu Bhadrakali Amman Temple, located in Kanyakumari district, is renowned for its special rituals and the annual Thookkam festival. This festival is a significant spiritual event celebrated with great faith and devotion among devotees.
Significance of the Thookkam Festival
The Thookkam festival at Bhadrakali Amman Temple is a grand annual event where devotees offer their children as part of a special vow to the goddess. It is believed that this ritual brings good health, prosperity, and academic success to the children.
Thookkam is a ritual where children are suspended from a specially designed bow-like structure. Before this ceremony, devotees perform prayers and special poojas to seek the blessings of the goddess.
Participation from Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Devotees from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and other southern districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as from Kerala, participate in large numbers. Since participation in the Thookkam ritual is considered a special vow, prior registration is required.
2025 Festival Highlights
The 2025 Thookkam festival commenced on the 23rd of the month with the traditional flag hoisting. The temple premises were beautifully decorated with flowers. The Vandiyottam (chariot race) ritual, which takes place the day before the Thookkam ceremony, was conducted around the temple with great enthusiasm.
A total of 1,166 children participated in the Thookkam ceremony, carried by bearers using a bow-like structure, with four children per bow.
Blood Offering – A Sacred Ritual
After completing the Thookkam ceremony, devotees participate in the blood offering ritual, marking the fulfillment of their vows. This act symbolizes the deep faith and dedication of the devotees towards the goddess.
Cultural and Spiritual Importance of the Festival
The Thookkam festival holds a significant place in the lives of devotees. It is not just a religious event but a practice believed to bring divine blessings for the protection and well-being of children.
The Thookkam festival at Kollankodu Bhadrakali Amman Temple continues to be a remarkable blend of devotion, tradition, and dedication, drawing thousands of worshippers each year.
