Kaliyattam Festival

Current Context: The Kaliyattam Festival, also known as Theyyam, is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March) in Kerala, showcasing ritual dance performances and cultural heritage.

About:

• Significance: The festival honors Goddess Kali and is recognized as part of Kerala’s intangible cultural heritage.
• Celebration Sites: Conducted in Kavus (sacred groves) and tharavadus (ancestral homes).
• Rituals: Performers are believed to embody deities, referred to as the “dance of gods.”
• Cultural Importance: Highlights Kerala’s traditional art forms and spiritual practices.