Onam festivals: Neelamperoor Padayani on September 16; What's in store for tourists?

Changanassery: The serene countryside of Neelamperoor in Kottayam is all set to welcome the grand swan effigies to the temple premises on the iconic padayani day. Padayani is a traditional ritualistic dance and performance art connected to Onam celebrations in Kerala. It is mainly staged in the temples of central Kerala and involves elaborate costumes, masks, and vigorous dances that honour the mythical King Mahabali, whose return is celebrated for Onam. The annual padayani ritual is conducted by the villagers for the good fortune and prosperity of the village. The pooram padayani festival at the Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavathi temple is from September 16 to October 1. Meanwhile, this year’s festival ends on a grand note with the Vallyannathu ezhunnallathu at 12.30 am on October 1.

Special rituals on October 1
The rituals on the final day begins with ucha pooja, kottipadiseva and prasadamoottu ceremonies at 12 pm. The thengamurikkal ritual of the swan effigies is at 8 pm. Meanwhile, kudam puja kali ritual is at 10 pm followed by the sarvaprayshchita yagnam ceremony led by chief priest at 10.30 pm. The Dewaswom president PK Manoj Kumar will then perform the Aagna vangal or securing the permission for the closing rituals. At 11 pm, the effigies would be welcomed to the temple premises. Vallyannathu ezhunullathu is at 12.30 am.

There will be effigies of swans, lions, elephants and other deities at the padayani. Here is a schedule of the various effigies that you could see at each day of the festival.
September 16: 10 pm – Padayani begins, choottuvayppu
September 17: 10 pm – Choottu padayani (lit torches made of coconut fronds)
September 18: 10 pm – Choottu padayani
September 19: 10 pm – Choottu padayani
September 20: 10 pm – Poomaram
September 21: 10 pm – Thattukuda
September 22: 10 pm – Paravalayam
September 23: 10 pm – Kudanirthu, kudam pooja kali, thothakali (procession of floral decorations)

September 24: 10 pm – Plavilakolam begins; tapasakolam too would be there
September 25: 10 pm – Elephant
September 26: 10 pm – Hanuman
September 27: 10 pm – Plavilanirthu, kudam puja kali, thothakali, arrival of plavilakolam deities (Bhima)
September 28: 10 pm – Pindiyum kurutholayum, grand arrival of the flag staff
September 29: 10 pm – Kaavalpishachu
September 30: 10 pm – Chirambukuthu begins at 1 pm, chirambukuthu continues at 7.30 pm, kudam puja kali, thothakali and velakali at 11 pm. Arrival of swan effigies and ambalakotta effigies
October 1 – Pooram padayani