Pindikuthi Perunnal (à´ªിà´£്à´Ÿിà´•ുà´¤്à´¤ി à´ªെà´°ുà´¨്à´¨ാൾ), or Pindi Perunnal (à´ªിà´£്à´Ÿി à´ªെà´°ുà´¨്à´¨ാൾ), or Rakkuli Perunnal (à´°ാà´•്à´•ുà´³ി à´ªെà´°ുà´¨്à´¨ാൾ) is celebrated on 6th January, the 13th day after Christmas every year. This is an ancient and important devotional ritual among the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala, the counterpart of Denha (ദനഹാ) (Baptism of Jesus) in the Eastern church and Epiphany in the Western Church.
Pindi, Rakkuli, Pindikuthi Perunnal at Irinjalakuda; Christian Festivals in Kerala
Pindi Perunnal St. Thomas Cathedral Irinjalakuda
The Denha Kaalam (Epiphany season) starts with the Sunday closest to Pindikuthi Perunnal. The phrase Pindikuthi is a combination of two Malayalam words 'Pindi' (à´ªിà´£്à´Ÿി) which means "trunk of the plantain tree" and 'Kuthi' (à´•ുà´¤്à´¤ി) which means "to prick or pierce". So, Pindikuthi means "to prick or pierce the plantain trunk", and the term 'Rakkuli' (à´°ാà´•്à´•ുà´³ി) literally means "a bath in the night".
Pindi Perunnal St. Thomas Cathedral Irinjalakuda and Fireworks
During the celebration, a beautifully decorated plantain trunk is erected in front of houses with attractive lights attached to it. All family members gather and prepare special dishes and serve, especially meat dishes, all the members used to go around it singing a Syriac hymn "El Payya", which means "God is radiant", on the previous day is also a part of the festival. During these days, special prayers are conducted in certain churches and some parishes announce a prize for the best-decorated plantain, as part of the festival celebrations. On the day of Karthika or Thrikarthika, there is a custom among the Hindus to decorate plantain tree and place it in front of the house.
Pindikuthi Perunnal or Pindi Perunnal is a well-known celebration in locations such as Irinjalakuda and Kunnamkulam, people in this region have celebrated this occasion beyond the caste and creed. During the festive season placing an exemplary decorated plantain in front of their house is a prestigious issue for every house owner.
Pindi Decoration Ideas, Large Paper Flower Making on Pindi Perunnal
At night, as part of the Denha feast, Saint Thomas Christians in Palai (à´ªാà´²ാ) and Pulincunnoo (à´ªുà´³ിà´™്à´•ുà´¨്à´¨്) areas are used to perform a ritual bath called 'Rakkuli' (à´°ാà´•്à´•ുà´³ി) (in imitation of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, also known as Nahr Al Sharieat) in rivers which flowing nearby the churches in this area after the solemn celebration of Ramsha. Even though the feast has a special name, some places in the Kollam region also celebrated the same day with decorated 'Pindi' in front of their houses.
There are also "Sacred Arrow" (arrow which pierced the body of Saint Sebastian) processes for each family unit, which starts on Saturday. This Sacred Arrow is escorted to the decorated chariots is accompanied by villagers and devotees. It is brought to every home for the worshipping and offerings of the house members. heavy fireworks are also carried out in connection with this.
