A victim 'hanging' from 32 ft high scaffold with the help of hooks pierced to his back

The victim bleeding as the hooks pierce his back 

The scaffold with the man 'hanging' being taken around the temple

The Thookkam scaffold hanging the hired professional being whirled around the Temple

The 1987 Purificatory Namasamkeertana Yatra to stop Thookkam ritual leaving the famous Crocodile ghat in Poorna River at Kalaty, Aadishankara’s birth place, reaches Shankaracharya Temple led by Swami Bhoomananda Tirthaji Maharaj, Swami Purushothama Tirthaji Maharaj, Swami Vasudevanandaji, Brahmarshi Devapalanji and Maharshi Satyapalanji

In time, on way to Elavoor Putthankavu Devi Temple to lie in front of the Thookkam Scaffold, Swami Bhoomananda Tirthaji Maharaj and others obstructed (in the year 1987) by the District Collector and his Police force 2 km off the venue before they could think of permitting the bloody ritual, a vestige of the ancient human sacrifice indulged in during kingly rule

Swamiji and others, when obstructed, offer Saashtaanga Namaskar (prostration) right on the road to the Putthankavu Devi.  Police officials ushering them into their vehicle before proceeding to allowed the barbarous criminality in the sanctifying Temple (1987)