Neelamperoor Padayani

The Neelamperoor Padayani is related with the annual festival of the Neelamperoor Bhagavathy temple. Padayani is a representative victory procession of Goddess Kali after vanquishing demon Darika. The main aspect of the festival of Neelemperoor Padayani is the aspect of devotion to God and is a mark of homage paid to Goddess Bhagavathy, who is symbolized as a Mother Goddess.The festival, which is a parade of the devotees’ belief in the all-powerful Mother Goddess or Goddess Bhagavathy who is one of the most important events among the people of Kerala. The Neelemperoor Padayani is celebrated on the first day of the month of Medam according to the Malayalam calendar or when the sun is in the gathering on the Aries sign as per the western calendars.

The festival,which is a memorial of woman power, is signified by the presence of decorated motifs of swans, which are offered to the Goddess Bhagavathy. These swans are then carried in a large procession, which is riot of colors and motifs.There are thousands of swans, ranging between all sizes mark the occasion which are also known for the varied use of natural colors, which are generally extracted from the flowers, leaves and petals of the village.

A unique feature of the festival is the motif decoration at Neelemperoor Padayani which is the finding of different colors. The required colors are taken from the nature, in the form of leaves, flower petals, parts of the coconut tree and other local plant varieties. The procession, which is basically conducted at night, vibrates with the sounds of trumpets, drums and holy chanting, while on its way to the temple. The sounds of Chenda or traditional drums and cymbals are specially played in the procession of devotees on their way to the temple.

One can also see most attractive thing is the huge swan made of natural things like lotus levees ,plantain stem hibiscus flower etc. which makes the festive more vibrant and people come in large processions to carry it.