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Tholeri Karekkandi Bhagavathi Temple – Thira Festival

Tholeri Karekkandi Bhagavathi temple is located at Tholeri near Payyoli in Kozhikode district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathi. The annual Thira festival in the temple is held in Kumbha Masam (തോലേരി  കാരേക്കണ്ടി  ഭഗവതി തിറ).

The festival is famous for various rituals and pujas associated with Bhagavathi temples in North Kerala. The Thira ritual in the temple is famous and attracts hundreds of devotees. The kolam of Bhagavathi in form of head gear is used in the Thira ritual. The dance form performed using it is known as Thirayattam.

The festival is also famous for Thottam Pattu. The musical instruments used in the festival are Chenda, thudi and Ilathalam.

The shrine also observes Navratri and Thrikarthika festival.