Trikarthika Utsavam is the annual festival celebrated at Kumaranalloor Bhagavathy Temple, 6 km from Kottayam, in the month of Vrischikam (November-December). The main highlight of the celebration is the Karthika Pooja and Karthika Vilakku, i.e the display of lights. There is a story connected with these rituals. It is said that the Gods of Udayanapuram and Thrissur Vadakkunnathan temples were charmed by the beauty of the Devi while she was returning after her Karthika bath. The Gods came out of their temple, stood over the compound wall of Kumaranalloor Temple by affectionately looking at her. The temple priest, in search of the Gods met them on the walls at the southern end of the temple. And from that day onwards Karthika Pooja is performed by keeping lights on the walls of the temple.