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Thousands in Kerala splash turmeric water to fight skin diseases
by Juhan Samuel

     Mattancherry Island (Kerala): Thousands of residents in Mattancherry Island of the state celebrate the festival by bathing in turmeric mixed water to get rid of skin diseases. People take out an effigy of God Kama in a procession. The effigy is then burnt. According to the legend, Kama Dev had tried to distract Lord Siva from deep meditation with his passionate influence and feminine associates and was later burnt down by Lord Shiva. People then dance and revellers splash coloured water mixed with turmeric at each other to celebrate the victory of good over evil. "The entire ceremony is symbolic of a victory of good over evil. It is a process of cleansing the body," said Ramesh Kumar, a resident. The festival also marks the culmination of the fifteen-day celebrations of 'Holi' and ends on the first Sunday after the full moon, in the month of Phalgun (February-March).
- Mar 17, 2009