തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തെ ചിറയിൻകീഴിലെ ശാർക്കര ദേവി ക്ഷേത്രത്തിലെ കാളിയൂട്ട് മഹോത്സവം ഫെബ്രുവരി-മാർച്ച് (കുംഭം) മാസങ്ങളിൽ ആഘോഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന 9 ദിവസത്തെ ഉത്സവമാണ്, അത് ഊർജ്ജസ്വലമായ ആചാരങ്ങളും സാംസ്കാരിക പ്രകടനങ്ങളും ഉൾക്കൊള്ളുന്നു.
കാളിയൂട്ട് മഹോത്സവം 2026 | ചിറയിൻകീഴ് ശാർക്കര ദേവി ക്ഷേത്രം തിരുവനന്തപുരം | Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam 2026 | Sarkara Devi Temple Chirayinkeezhu Trivandrum
The objective of Kaliyoottu is to offer the elementary harvest to the Amma (the divine Mother), the defender of the land. The ritual art of Kaliyoottu was originally celebrated in North Malabar to propitiate Goddess Kali and was brought to Travancore by King Marthanda Varma (1729-1758).
Legend has it that Marthanda Varma Maharaja tried to capture Kayamkulam province several times to expand his domain.
Although unsuccessful, he did not give away his ambition. His one and only motive was the defeat
Kayamkulam Raja. With the unyielding desire he was forced to make another arrangement for a war. On
his way to Kayamkulam it is said that he chose the big ground near the Sarkara temple to take rest.
Learning about the arrival of Maharaja in their mace, that leaders assembled together to meet the
Maharaja. Hearing the Raja's stories of defeat at Kayamkulam, they suggested that the only way to his
triumph was to offer a Kaliyoot to Sarkaradevi. In agreement with their suggestion the Maharaja decided
to offer Kaliyoot to Sarkaradevi and finally became successful in the war.
Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam 2026 | Sarkara Devi Temple Chirayinkeezhu Trivandrum
Kaliyoottu is the dramatic presentation of the genesis of
Bhadrakali and Darika, the representatives of good
and evil respectively,
their confrontation and later the
extermination of Darika in devotional terms and with rhythmic
footsteps. Kaliyoottu is a synthesis of older agrarian art
tradition and is a further established by the fact that the time
chosen for performing Kaliyoottu is after Makara Koithu (the
Malayalam month of Makaram corresponds to March and is
the season of the second harvest season in Kerala). Koithu is
a Malayalam term for harvest and that Kali is believed to
disguised as a Pulaya girl in the drama. The first 7 days
ceremonies are dramatic visualisations of stories leading to
the war between Bhadrakali and Darika. The ceremonies
takes its peak with the 8th and 9th day ceremonies,"Mudi
Uzhichil" and "Nilathil Poru" respectively. The functions on
these days in the Kali drama festival are a visual treat and
the colorful ceremonies takes hours for completion. The men
from the ponnara family are assigned with the Kali, Durga
and Darika costumes.
EVENTS/PROGRAMS
• Nilathil Poru
• Mudi Uzhichil
• Traditional Folk Music
Temple Location
📍 Sarkara Devi Temple, Pandakasala Sarkara Rd, Sarkara, Chirayinkeezhu - 695304 Kerala.
Accessibility
🏙️ Nearest Town/ Landmark/ Junction: Chirayinkeezhu Town - 50 m
🚌 Nearest Bus Station: Chirayinkeezhu Bus Stand - 600 m
🚂 Nearest Railway Station: Chirayinkeezhu Railway Station - 1 Km
✈️ Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport - 31.2 Km
Contact
📞 +91 470 2643697
📧 sarkaratemple@gmail.com
