Vadakkupurathu Pattu Festival 2013 – Held once in 12 Years at the famous Vaikom Mahadeva temple in Kerala

Vadakkupurathu Pattu Festival, dedicated to Goddess Shakti,
is a series of pujas and rituals held for social welfare once in 12 years at
the famous VaikomMahadevaTemple
in Kerala. In 2013, Vadakkupurathu Pattu Festival will be held from April 13 to
24. The 12-day long pujas attract devotees from several parts of Kerala, India
and the world.

A major attraction at Vadakkupurathu Pattu is the creation of
an image of Goddess Shakti in the traditional Kalamezhuthu style. The image
created on the ground will change on each day and will depict various forms and
moods of Goddess Shakti.

The image of Goddess Shakti (known as Bhagavathi in Kerala)
is created on the ground. Five natural colors are used in making the image on
the ground at the huge northern courtyard of the temple. Grounded grains,
turmeric and flower petals are used to make the powder used in drawing the
image of the Bhagavathi.

Legend has it that the people in the area were once troubled
by various epidemics including small pox. The ruler of the region then
conducted the Vadakkupurathu Pattu festival to appease the Goddess and bring
peace and prosperity to the region. Goddess blessed the region and the area
prospered as there was no outbreak of epidemics.

People now conduct the 12-day ritual for peace, social
welfare and prosperity.