14-Mar-2017: Annual Padayani festival held with fervour

The annual Padayani festival at the Bhagavathykunnu Devi temple at Elanthoor, came to conclusion with the grand finale of Valiya Padayani.

A ceremonial procession displaying the majestic Bhairavi and various other kolams made of exquisitely carved raw areca palm spathes was held with ritualistic fervour as part of the Valiya Padayani. Natural colours were used for making the masks which require great skill.

Different types of Padayani kolams, which include the kolams of Ganapati, Bhairavi, Anthara yakshi, Maya yakshi, Arakki yakshi, Pakshi, Yakshi, Maadan, Marutha, Kanjiramaala, Kuthira and Siva Kolam, were taken out in a ritualistic procession to the temple precincts around 11.30 p.m. The procession was held to the accompaniments of Thappu, a unique padayani percussion, rhythmic padayani verses and indigenous torchlights made of dry coconut palm leaves after Athazhapuja at the Bhagavathy temple.

Hundreds of devotees coming from different parts of Central Travancore took part in the procession. Performance of the majestic Bhairavi Kolam was a major attraction at the Valiya Padayani that drew to a close with ‘Pooppada thullal’.