Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Pakkil Vanibham- Memories of a Foregone Era

Imagine being caught in a maze of tradition and antiquity, where every artefact gets resurrected and stares at you with renewed vigour, transporting you to a foregone era, to the age-old tradition of Kerala. 

Every year, the ground opposite the Dharma Sastha Temple at Pakkil in Kottayam comes alive with the loud cries of vendors and a bustle of activities as people congregate from far and wide to participate in the ‘Pakkil Vanibham’, a one-of-a-kind rural market. 

Come, experience the charm of this month-long market, which is more of a festival of sorts celebrating the legacy and traditions of Kerala.

On the 1st of the Malayalam month of Karkidakom (July-August), the region becomes studded with a cluster of shops selling traditional wares. The market which comes alive at the break of dawn continues well into the night and can very well be termed as a one-stop market for all your needs. There is never a dull moment here with a constant stream of visitors of all ages arriving to enliven the spirit of Pakkil Vanibham. The market is famed for the huge assortment of high quality homewares that are available at cheaper rates. 

Household articles, kitchen wares, agricultural implements, pottery wares, natural products, handicrafts, furniture and other traditional market fare are displayed in the fair. The main attraction here is the presence of traditional household articles such as Muram (winnow), Kutta (baskets made of reed), Vatti (Kerala's traditional sieve baskets), Thazhappaya (screw pine mats, the traditional mats of Kerala), Kalchattis (stone vessels) and Manchattis (mud vessels) of various sizes and so forth.

There is an intriguing tale behind the conduct of this fair. Legend has it that Lord Parasurama, the creator of Kerala as per mythology, who arrived at this place to set up a temple found difficulty in installing the idol of Dharma Sastha (Lord Ayyappa). He sought help from Pakkanar, another legendary character, who had arrived to sell traditional wares such as Kutta and Muram. It is believed that Pakkanar installed the idol saying “Ivide parkku” meaning ‘you stay here’ and the idol got affixed. Pleased, Lord Parasurama let Pakkanar come here every year and sell his wares (Kutta and Muram). This tradition was carried forth by the descendants of Pakkanar and continues till date. It is said that the term ‘Parkku’ became ‘Pakkil’ over the years and thus the place got named as Pakkil.

Vendors and the visitors flock here from across the length and breadth of the State. For them, participating in the fair is more of a ritual than routine, a return to olden times, where they get to buy and marvel at the many ethnic wares of Kerala.

Once here, breathe in the myriad sights, sounds and smells of the market which is an eclectic mixture of everything past and forgotten, a peek into the yesteryears, to the customs and traditions of the people. 

It is in essence an effort to remember things past and keep alive its memory.