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'Thookkam' as part of a 'Kaavadi' procession - a scene from Karamana in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday; a sight that is not rare in South India. Three men hanging with hooks piercing their back on a moving vehicle and the chains they are holding to helping to distribute their weight.


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  1. Dr. Prasanth KrishnaDecember 8, 2007 at 8:11:00 AM GMT+5:30

    This called "Thookkam" not "Kavadi procession". Kavadi procession is different. Thookkam is banned in Kerala long back (in 1987) but still its there in temples as the part of the rituals. According to the banned practice, the back of a person who was willing to perform `Thookkam' would be pierced with an iron hook and lifted up on about 45 feets on a wooden scaffold in a decorated chariot but now the body weight is supported by the pads and chains and small hooks are piercing on the back as just a representation.

    To watch the video visit

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_XtQvKV6lc

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 15, 2008 at 4:27:00 AM GMT+5:30

    Krishna,

    This is still part of the kaavadi ritual, its practiced for Thaipooyam/Thaipoosam and amman festivals as well in Kerala. This is common to both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dr. Prasanth KrishnaMarch 16, 2008 at 5:59:00 PM GMT+5:30

    Hello Anonymous

    Its true it will be there with as the part of Kaavadi ritual, but the posted picture is not Kavaadi. Its specifically calling the Thookkam. If its the part of one partcular ritual how we can change the name? Just see a simple example my Name is Krishna if I am going with Rama then how cahnge my name as Rama?.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dr. Prasanth KrishnaMarch 16, 2008 at 6:01:00 PM GMT+5:30

    Hello Anonymous

    Its true, it will be there with as the part of Kaavadi ritual, but the posted picture is not Kavaadi. Its specifically calling the Thookkam. If its the part of one particular ritual how we can change the name? Just see a simple example my Name is Krishna if I am going with Rama then how change my name as Rama?.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My Life and ExperimentsMarch 16, 2008 at 6:12:00 PM GMT+5:30

    Hi Raman

    Krishna is right its not Kaavadi its Thookkam. The caption will confuse or mislead the peoples so better to change it. The Picture is good try to post more. All the Best

    ReplyDelete

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