ചൂട്ടിടീല് ( Lighting Fire to flame Torches)
The residents of neelamperoor villagers bring olachoottukal (dried coconut leaves, securely tied up in long bundles for use as flame torches). The main priest of the temple brings burning pieces of wood and keeps them in the center of the ground outside the temple precincts. The leaf torches are lit by blowing upon the burning wood. This fire in the center of the ground is worshiped as the Goddess, brought down by the priest from the Sanctum Sanctum ( Sreekovil ).
കുടംപൂജ കളി ( Kudam Pooja Kali)
The flames rise up in the center of the ground where Padayani takes place. The villages stand in a wide circle around, starts singing songs depicting stories from the epics. Only cymbals are used for background music. thithi thithi ayyatha thi thai thai tho, thaka theeya thaka thaka theeyakatho, theeyo thatho tharo thikrutha thai, This stepping down play with dance steps will also be there.
തോത്തകളി (Thotha Kali )
The chief of the village assembly ( Now Devaswam President ) goes to the burial site-memorial of Cheraman Perumal (The emperor of Kerala ) in a corner of the ground, prays for permission, to commence the Padayani celebration. The villagers the indulge in long drawn martial shouts like "HUYYOO" and " kooo koooo ku ". After this they go to the lit fire in the centre, accompanied by Chenda ( a unique percussion instrument ) music played by a group, producing loud rhythmic sounds. They start dancing rhythmically waving cotton towels, around the Fire Goddess, in a circle.
വേലകളി ( Vela Kali )
Two green coconut leaves (with mid ribs removed) are taken, on each side of the they make velapiller ( small form of human boys ) by using koova leaves. Then six men bend down, and hold it. They start singing "Chetto Chetto...Ketto...Ketto .." ( Hey, brothers, did you hear ??) song, taking vigorous dance steps in forward-backward movements. Behind them, come others carrying Velayannams ( Swan effigies-couple) on their shoulders, dancing in the same rhythmic steps. The swan effigies also seem to dance up and down in the same manner. This is a true reflection-sight of the agricultural labours.
കുടനിര്ത്ത് ( Kuda Nirthu )
When the second phase of the Padayani ends on the eight day, this holding umbrellas is celebrated. After the Kudampooja Kali and Thotha Kali , Poomaram ( Flower Tree ), Thattu Kuda ( Layered Umbrella ), Para Valayam, Poonkudakal ( Flower Umbrellas) are presented in front of the Goddess with rhythmic dance and songs.
പ്ലാവില നിര്ത്ത് ( Plavila Nirthu )
The third phase ends on 12th day, accompanied by Kudampooja Kali, Thotha Kali etc. The effigies ( made of Jack fruit Tree Leaves of Thapasa( ascetic sage), Elephant, Hanuman, Bheema ( Epic Characters ) are presented in front of the Goddess with rhythmic dance and songs.
മകം പടയണി ( Makam Padayani )
Makam Padayani is on 15th day. The star day could change in certain years according to Malayalam Almanac. Ambalakkotta ( which means the model of temple made from the outer film layers of plantain stems) is the effigy for this function. On this day also, there will be Kudampooja Kali, Thotha Kali ( ritual dance ) etc. On this day a special ritual called Velakali will be presented. On this day swan effigies are presented for the first time. Ayyayya the thaka thee thee thaka thai tho - the songs (used in Keralas unique wooden boat races in lakes) are sung. The Ambalakkotta is thus presented before the deity Goddess. With this, Makam Padayani ends.
പൂരം പടയണി ( Pooram Padayani )
16th day is Pooram Padayani celebrated as the birth day of Mother Goddess. On this day the effigy of Lion ( considered as the vehicle of Durga-Mother Goddess) is (The chief ritual effigy) presented. The effigies of Ravana, Bheema, Yakshi made of lotus leaves, plantain stems layers and geranium ( Chethi) flowers, come up in front of the temple - an enchanting mix-up of colors.
വിളക്കിത്തിരിയും ചോറും ( Vilakkithiriyum Chorum )
The next day early morning, the ground look forlorn(deserted)- the man who was on fast till that day comes to the sacred Banyan | Pee-pal tree in the temple ground. He places lamp of cotton wicks and cooked rice at the root portion of the tree. After this, Mother Goddess returns to the temple from the Padayani ground.
അടിയന്തിര കോലങ്ങള് ( Compulsory or Essential Ritual Effigies)
The effigies which are presented on each night, during the Padayani period are known as compulsory or essential ritual effigies.
The first day to the fourth - Flame Torches
Fifth Day - Flower Tree
Sixth Day - Layered Umbrella
Seventh Day - Paravalayam
Eighth Day - Flower Umbrellas
The above covers the first two phases of Padayani.
The ninth day - Ascetic sage made by Jack tree leaves.
The tenth day - Elephant
The eleventh day - Hanuman ( Epic Character )
The twelth day - Bheema ( Epic Character )
The thirteenth day - The hobgoblin ( devil-genie)
The fourteenth day - The temple flag
On the fifteenth day - Makam Padayani , Ambalakkotta ( Temple model made by plantain stems and layers films) is the chief effigy.
On the sixteenth day - Pooram Padayani - The important final day- the effigy is LION - (Mother Goddess is supposed to sit and travel on the back of a Lion, in the form of Durga - according to mythology )
Translated by : Pindiyath Dinamani
