Kuthiramoottil kanji and Therummoottil kanji , offerings at the famed Devi temple at Chettikulangara, 50 km from here, have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Ten other names associated with the temple have been registered under the trademark and patents regime. These include Chettikulangara Amma , Chettikulangara Kumbha Bharani , Chettikulangara Kettukazhcha , Kuthiyottam, and Chooralmuriyal .
Kuthiras are carefully sculpted and decorated gigantic temple cars having a height of 70-75 feet. Therus are huge chariots, lesser in height. Kanji , the rice gruel, and puzhukku , a preparation made of tubers and vegetables, are offered at different locations where the structures are constructed ahead of the main festival, Kumbha Bharani.
Kuthiyottam is a dance offering, set to ethnic music, symbolising elements of human sacrifice.
Boys intending to perform it are trained by experts much before the festival and the practice encompasses a lot of devotional observances.
Parade
The therus and kuthiras as well as huge icons of Bhima and Hanuman, epic characters, are paraded in front of the temple deity on the festival day, during Kettukazhcha, a spectacular view, which attracts thousands of devotees. This year, the Kumbha Bharani festival of the temple falls on March 3.
The registration under the rules of protection of intellectual property rights has been made in the name of Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention, Chettikulangara, an organisation of 13 karas or regional societies.
For temple cars
The organisation has also applied for design patent for kuthira and theru as well as jeevatha , the deity’s palanquin. The registration has been made with a view to protecting the intellectual property rights associated with the devotional and traditional practices at the temple, a spokesman of the organisation told The Hindu .
