Padayani Festivals

Valiya Padayani 


The most important day of the Padayani festival is the Valiya Padayani. It is also known as Koottakkolam. The Padayani conducted and performed from the Adavi day to Valiya Padayani day is known as Edappadayani. On the last day of the festival, all rituals held from the first day is repeated starting from the Thappu Melam, Thavadi, Pulavritham, Paradeshi and Kolam thullal. The kolams are taken to the temple as a procession and this is called nirathi thullal. There are usually five Bhairavi kolams, the most important of all kolams, of different sizes. On the two sides of Bhairavi kolams will be the kolams of Antara Yakshi, Sundara Yakshi, Kalari, Ambara yakshi and other minor kolams. Finally at daybreak comes the Mangala Kolam, who will apologise to the Goddess for any faults that happened during the Padayani festival performance takes place.  In most places, Bhairavi and Kanjiramala are considered as the Mangala Kolam. Valiya Padayani concludes with the artistes and the devotees singing Vallappattu, seeking divine blessings.