Kuthiyottam and Kettukazhcha during Kumbha Bharani Festival
The main attraction of the festival is the Kuthiyottam by young boys and Kettukazhcha displaying spectacular show of craftsmanship. Kettukazhcha are huge gigantic structures of kuthira’ (horse motifs), theru (chariots) and idols of Bheema, Panchali and Lord Hanuman. UNESCO has recently collected details about temple and its customs for examining whether the temple is eligible for inclusion in World Heritage list.
The preparation for Kumbha Bharani starts seven days before the “Bharani” nakshatra, and incidentally this falls on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri. Devotees from the 13 karas (places around the temple) will start construction of the Kettukazhcha to the temple from this day. Meanwhile people who pledged their children for Kuthiyottam offering will start training their children from this day. All these 7 days these people will conduct public get-togethers and arrange food for the children. The children will also be taught Kuthiyoota chuvadukal, a special dance step for the ritual.
As part of the festival, a big bazaar known as Bharani Chanda is also held at Chetikulangara during the festival days.