Garudan Parava: A Ritual That Hooks Through The Skin

A painful and unbelievable ritual in which dancers, after performing, hang themselves as eagles from a shaft using hooks that pierce the flesh of their backs and thighs, is conducted in Kerala's Bhadrakali temples. This ritual is also known as Garudan Parava where performers dress up like Garuda, following a mythical story, as an offering to the goddess Kali to quench her thirst.

A devotee dressed like Garuda, source: Pinterest

<p>Differences in cultures are always considered a beautiful diversification. But as we go deeper there are cultures that follow certain jaw-dropping and unimaginable rituals which we may never dare to perform in our lives. Such is a ritual called Garudan Parava or Garudan Thookam celebrated by the people of Kerala, in the name of Goddess Kali, as gratitude for vanquishing evils from their lives.</p><p><br></p><p>According to the back story, Goddess Kali seemed insatiable after slaying the demon king Darika. So to avoid any further destruction, God Vishnu sent a dancing and bleeding Garuda to offer its blood and pacify the Goddess. Inspired by this story, the people of Kerala celebrate the festival with utmost devotion. Hundreds of Goddess Kali’s temples perform the ritual every year. It usually falls during the month of March-April and is celebrated during the night.</p><p><br></p><p>The festival is indeed vibrant and filled with all kinds of colors and beautiful dance forms, but what’s surprising is that some of the devotees hang themselves on hooks as an offering to the Goddess. These devotees undergo a special abstinence period of 41 days before the ritual day. During this period they are strictly forbidden to consume meat, intake intoxicants and indulge in sexual activities. They dress beautifully like Garuda, and their dress is quite similar to the Kathakali artists. After they perform a dance form, around 40-50 men among them are hooked from the flesh of their back and thighs. And the blood they shed from their pierced skin is taken thrice around the Goddess Kali’s temple. This self-torturous act is even praised by the audience for showing such strength.</p><p><br></p>

Kerala's Strange Ritual, source: Navrang India

<p>Moreover, only men are allowed to perform the ritual and as the symbols of Garuda, they are taken around the city in hand-pulled carts. All the expenses of the festival are borne by the devotees saving for the whole year. Elamkavu Devi Temple in Vaikom, Varand in Kottayam district is the most famous one for the Garuda Thookam performance where the hanging Garudas (devotees) are taken in the illuminated boats following a fine floating temple of Goddess Kali.</p><p><br></p><p>The ambience of the festival seems glamorous and energetic as the Goddess is extremely powerful during that time. She is covered with sandal paste, silk and thick gold ornaments. The ambience is so rich that one can not only witness the devotion, but can also taste it. Many parents stand in a queue with their babies for these dressed-up Garudas to hold their babies and bless them. It is believed that such an act will keep babies away from evil.</p><p><br></p>

Erasing evils from the child's life, source: Pinterest

<p>Kerala is a place of myths and stories. So the notions behind the ritual are also never-ending. One can’t help their curiosity as one dive deeper into the state’s cultural beliefs. Every dance form of Kerala has a gothic or a mystical story behind it. Also, no cultural celebrations in India come without a backstory.</p>