The Kunnamthanam Padayani is one of the earliest Padayani festivals of Central Travancore in Kerala. This annual festival is observed in association with the Madathilkavu Bhagavathy Temple located in the Pathanamthitta district.
Celebrated for eight days from 3rd to 10th of the Malayalam month of Medam, the ritualistic Choottu vaipu marks the beginning of the Padayani festival here. Thavadi Thullal is held on the second day followed by the ritual of Pula Vritham and the performance of Ganapathy Kolam in the third and fourth days respectively. It is then followed by Pula Vritham and Arakkuthira performance on the fifth day. The ritualistic Adavi is celebrated on the sixth day. Chural Adavi and the performance of Kaalan Kolam are major attractions of the Adavi day at Kunnamthanam. The ‘Edappadayani’ and ‘Valiya padayani’ is celebrated in the next two days. The culmination of Padayani is done through the ritual of Nirthu-padayani by performing the Mangala Bhairavi Kolam.
The Devathakolam, resembling the Madathilkavu Bhagavathy and the imagery of the sky-bound Ambarayakshi Kolam descending in a chariot as Chattathel Yakshi are exclusive features of Kunnamthanam Padayani.
Kolams and rituals performing in order on Valiya Padayani at Kunnamthanam begins with Eduthuvarathu and is followed by Mayilppili Thookam, Choottuvalathu, Vattaminakku thappu melam, Pulavritham, Valiyamelam, Kappoli, Ganapathy Kolam, Kuthira Kolam, Valiya Bhairavi, Cheriya Bhairavi, Thangalum Padayum, Arakki Yakshi, Chattathel Yakshi, Devatha Kolam, Pakshi Kolam, Maya Yakshi, Nina Bhairavi, Paradeshi, Anthara Yakshi, Kaalamadan Kolam, Nagayakshi, Kakkalan Kolam, Kari Marutha, Kootta Marutha, Mangala Bhairavi and Aalpindi.
