Parkkadi Pooram is observed in Malayalam Makaram
month. Anjoor Parkkadi Bhagavathy Temple is located around 4 km from
Kunnamkulam. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual festival in the temple is observed on the first Sunday after Makara Chowa in Makaram month. The festival is noted for display of more than 50 elephants. Parkkadi Pooram 2024 date is January 21.
The main deity worshipped in the temple is Goddess Bhadrakali. The belief is that Goddess worshipped in the temple was brought here from Kodungallur. The murti worshipped here is Kannadi Shila Pratishta. The deity faces west.
The annual festival in the temple is known as Thalappoli utsavam and it is one of the largest festivals in Kerala for display of elephant pageantry. More than 50 elephants participate in this annual festival.
24 groups from Thozhiyur, Cheruvathani, Chittanjoor, Anjoor, Alathur and nearby places participate in the Parkkadi Pooram ezhunellippu.
Traditional performing arts, music and dance are staged
during the period.
Caparisoned elephants, melam, fireworks and sheevali are
part of the festival.
The temple is traditionally decorated with plantain, coconut
leaves, flowers, leaves, traditional lamps and lights.
On Monday morning of the festival, there is the famous Pongilidi ritual. Ural (traditional kerala mortar) is offered puja in the beginning. It is then filled with tender coconut leaves (kuruthola), banana stem (vazhapola), Avil (beaten rice), Malar (puffed rice) amd kuruti. Young girl children first hit the contents in the ural with stick. The belief is that body of demons are hit inside the ural. Earlier the ritual was first performed by Velichappadu. Now little girls begin the ritual.