Neelamperoor Padayani: A cultural spectacle that celebrates a village

The famous Padayani festival at the Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavathy Temple of Kerala's Alappuzha culminates with the Pooram Padayani on September 21, showcasing scintillating performing arts and unique traditions. Makam Padayani and Pooram Padayani rituals are the main events of the 16-day-long Padayani festival. Special poojas would be held today for a good yield and prosperity. The ritual named chirampukuthu, or adorning of the special swan figurines, a custom here, begins after the special rituals at the temple. Velakali, which reminisces about the harvest festival, will be held after the Kudampooja Kali and Thothakali at 11 pm. The grand procession of the iconic swan figurines would follow this.

What is Padayani?
Padayani, performed in the temples of the Central Travancore region, is a ritual conducted at night to please Goddess Bhadrakali. Padayani symbolises Bhadrakali's unabated fury, even after defeating a demon named Darikan. Devotees believe the padayani performance wards off evil and showcases it as a thanks to the goddess. 

Rituals and timings
The decor works for the festival aka 'nirapni' starts at 6 am tomorrow, the day of the Pooram Padayani. Meanwhile, the Thengamurickal ritual for Puthan Annam (swan) would be at 8 pm, followed by Kudampooja Kali, Sarvaprayschitham, Anunjavangal and Thothakali rituals at 10.30 pm. Samarpanam or offering of Puthan Annam is at 11 pm, while the Valya Annam’s arrival is at 12.30 pm. A grand procession of the swan figurines, kolams, poyyana and simham idols would follow it.

Bond between nature and man
The iconic Pooram Padayani at the Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavathy Temple symbolises the bond between man and nature. The entire Desom had gathered here yesterday to prepare and decorate the swan figurines, highlighting the unity and camaraderie of the villages. Meanwhile, the artists are busy with the last-minute preparations of this year’s Mayoorvahanan and Garudan kolams. Besides the usual kolams of Hanuman, Ravan, Nagayakshi, and Bheemasenan, there will be 50 new swam figurines and a Poyyana (elephant figurine) named Neela Kannan that will light up the temple premises. The rituals that have close connections with nature are the highlight of the Neelamperoor Pooram Padayani. The figurines and kolams used in the Padayani festival are made exclusively from natural materials.

Two big swans
Two huge swan or 'annam' figurines would be featured at this year’s Pooram Padayani. Puthan Valya Annam has a height of 9.25 kol. This swan figurine will be led to the sanctum sanctorum as a grand procession at 11 pm. The wooden works of the 'Valya Annam' are done by Jayan Nedumbally. Meanwhile, it is dedicated to Vineeth Vijayakumar Mangalath. Interestingly, the face of the Hanuman figurine has been entirely crafted in wood. Artist Soman Purambally deserves the credit for beautifully carving Hanuman’s face in wood.

Chirampu Kuthu to be held today
Chirampu Kuthu or decorating the Valya Annams began from 9 am. Ixora coccinea (chethi poovu) flowers are fixed using eerkil (coconut fronds) on plantain stems in this ritual. Meanwhile, colourful ixora coccinea flowers are brought from various parts of the village for the nirapani. Besides, devotees can also offer the flowers at the temple today.