The annual Adiperuku festival at Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Mettumahadanapuram was nothing short of a smashing success.

More than a thousand devotees participated in a unique vow-fulfilling ritual where the chief priest broke coconuts on their heads, all without fear of injury.

This 800-year-old temple buzzed with activity, attracting worshippers from Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh during the festival.

Despite some bleeding injuries, devotees refrained from immediate medical treatment, fearing the "ire of the deity." Instead, they opted for traditional remedies like turmeric or vibhuti (sacred ash) on the open wounds. Many women were seen treating head injuries with turmeric powder.

Doctors from the makeshift hospital on the temple premises were on hand to treat and stitch open wounds. Yet, the festival's spirit remained unbroken, with attendees from various parts of the state participating in this two-day celebration, highlighting the temple's rich cultural tradition.

The annual Adiperuku festival of Sri Mahalakshmi Temple at Mettumahadanapuram was celebrated yesterday with the chief priest breaking coconuts on the heads of devotees as part of their fulfillment of a vow. More than a thousand devotees participated in this event and the priest breaks coconuts on their heads. A large number of devotees participated in the ritual without any fear of injury.

The ritual is part of a two-day annual festival that is the highlight of the temple annals. A large number of devotees from various parts of the State and from Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh attended this temple ritual.This temple is about 800 years old and this temple becomes a beehive of activity during the Aadi festival.

Devotees who suffered bleeding injuries refrained from going for treatment due to fear of earning the “ire of the deity” and prefers to apply turmeric or viboothi (sacred ash) on the open wound. Many women suffered head injuries and were seen applying turmeric powder to their wounds. Doctors from the makeshift hospital set up on the temple premises treated the injured and put stitches on the open wounds.