Maha Shivaratri | Angalamman Temple | Kaveripattinam
Sivaratri celebrates the convergence of Siva and Shakti. The “Mayana Soora Thiruvizha” is a festival dedicated to Angalamman (a fierce guardian deity worshipped widely in Southern India) and is celebrated in the small village of Kaveripattinam, the day after Mahasivarathiri (the great night of Lord Siva). Kaveripattinam is a panchayat town in Krishnagiri district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. On this day tens of thousands of devotees can be seen at the temple. The festival stands out because of “Kaliakam”, personification of Goddess Kali. This transformation of kids, men and women is done by painting their faces and adorning attire like Goddess kali. Once they are ready, they hide their faces till they reach the temple and worship the Goddess. There are others who express their devotion by having various parts of them pierced by metal spear, knife or hooks that are used to dangle them. They parade around the village till evening.