Varkala

Ammankudam

A traditional temple dance form that is prevalent in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The dance is usually performed by the devotees of Bhagavathy or Mari Amman popular deities of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They place pots on their heads and do a fine balancing act as they dance. The name Ammankudam comes from the words "Amman" which denotes "Mother" or “Goddess" and "Kudam" which means pot. Both words are common in Tamil and Malayalam. These pots are generally filled in with sacred substances used for the worship such as water, turmeric, sandal, flowers and neem leaves. Ammankudam is performed during the arattu festival in Thiruvambadi Sree Krishna Temple, Varkala.

Mayilattam