Thalappoli

Traditional Thalappoli is a ritual ceremony performed as a vow in Hindu temples in Kerala, India.

Bathed and dressed in beautiful traditional clothes and Kerala ornaments, the women, mainly girls, line up with holding a thalam (a metal plate) in their hands filled with fresh paddy, flowers, rice, coconut (usually broken into two pieces), a lighted lamp and go around the temple with kurava (traditional form of sound), shouts and playing of instruments.

[8] In Kottankulangara Devi Temple in Chavara, there is a special ritual where men dress up as women and perform thalappoli.

[9] In Kerala Hindu culture, it is considered auspicious to see the ashta mangalyas (eight blessed elements) - a mirror, a lamp, a vessel filled with water, a new garment, akshatham (the combination of rice and paddy), gold, a girl, and Kurava (a sound that signifies happiness).

Now Thalapoli is also performed to usher the bride and groom to the wedding hall and the special guests to public events.