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Home > Kerala Temples > Performing Arts > Thookkam ThookkamThookkamThookkam or hook-swinging is an offering made to Goddess Bhadrakaali and an enactment of a bloody episode in the ancient mythology of Daarika-vadha and drinking of three drops of blood of Garuda who flew over the scene. The person who vows to do it, has to observe 41 days strict penance, apart from worshipping the deity every day. In addition he has to soften his body by applying oil for making it suitable to fix the hook. On the festival day a hook with a ring is inserted on the back of the person and then attached by a rope. to the horizontal pole (uttholanam) fixed on a four-wheeled vehicle (known as thookku-chaat). He is then lifted to a height of 30 feet. There are two types of thookkams viz. Garudan-thookkam (kite-swinging) and thoni-thookkam (boat swinging). It is to be noted that thookkam is also done in proxy for which the person who has taken the vow has to pay to the paid professional handsomely.
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