Thaipooya Mahotsavam is a festival celebrated in most of the Subramanya temples in
Kerala.
This one-day festival is devoted to
Lord Subramanya, the eldest son of
Lord Shiva and goddess
Parvati. During this festival, a ritual dance known as
Kavadi Aattam is performed. Devotees carry Kavadies (colorful bow-shaped wooden structures) on their shoulders in a ceremonious procession to the temples.
Thaipooya Mahotsavam is a major festival of Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple at
Harippad in Alappuzha District. The temple celebrates annual festivals in the Tamil months of Aavani (August - September), Margazhi (December - January), Chithtrai (April - May).
The Thaipooya Mahotsavam, in January, is very famous at Harippad. On the festival night, thousands of small traditional oil lamps fixed on the outer walls of the temple are lit.
