KADAMMANITTA PADAYANI-2012

KADAMMANITTA PADAYANI-2012

One of the famous festivals in Kerala, the Kadammanitta Padayani is celebrated on the first day of the month of Medam according to the Malayalam calendar or when the sun is in the constellation of Aries according to western calendars. The ceremony, which is an elaborate display of skills, décor, traditions and color, is a fun filled event which takes place for ten days.
The main aspect of the festival of Kadammanitta 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 marked by worship of the all powerful Mother Goddess is an exhibition of passionate devotion to the Goddess who is worshipped as a Mother figure throughout the province of Kerala. A festival which is celebrated for ten days throughout this tropical paradise is a massive display of color and the elegance which stems naturally from a culture dating back to several years in antiquity. The festival is also marked by the performance of the Patayani, a popular dance form which is an intrinsic part of the celebrations of Kadammanitta Padayani. Traditionally performed on the eight day of the festival, the Patayani indicates an offering to Goddess Kali, in whose honor, the festival is celebrated. The festival is also auspicious as it marks the victory of Kali over Daariken, an evil character and the renewal of protection of the Goddess on human beings. The main center of this festival is the Pathanamthitta Town.
2012 Annual Padayani festival at the Bhagavathy temple at Kadammanita came to close with the Pakal Padayani followed by the customary Ezhunnellathu procession on Monday,24^th April,2012. Hundreds of devotees thronged the Bhagavathy temple in the morning to witness the ritualistic dance to propitiate the presiding deity, Goddess Bhadrakali. Different types of Padayani kolams danced in tune with the customary percussion and songs on the temple premises. The 10 day festival concluded with the traditional Ezhnnelathu procession in the afternoon.
                                           Prof. John Kurakar