Panchayat/ Municipality/ Othara Village(East Othara) Corporation

LOCATION District

Nearest Town/ Town – 4.4 Km Landmark/ Junction

Nearest Bus statio Parumoottikkadavu Bus Stop – 1 Km

Nearest Railway Chengannur Railway Station – 5 Km statio ACCESSIBILITY Cochin International Airport – 120 Km Nearest Airport

Othera Puthukkulangara Devaswom East Othera PO, , Othera-689546 Phone: +91-94466 85641 CONTACT DATES FREQUENCY DURATION

TIME March – April (Meenam) Annual 10Day

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (Legend/History/Myth)

According to Hindu Mythology evolution of is related to the birth of Kali .Once an Asura (Demon) named Darika delighted Lord Brahma through his penance and gained blessings that, he would be killed only by a woman. Darika however started atrocities which even the Devas could not defend. On approaching Lord Shiva for help, the Lord created Kali to fight Darika. The fierce battle between Darika and an angry Kali culminated in Darika’s end at the hands of Kali. Thee attempt by Shiva and his Bhoothaganas to pacify and delight Kaali are imitated as such in Padayani celebration. Kalamezhuthum Pattum, a unique ritual is still strictly conducted in Kaali temples in its own originality. Padayani is celebrated for the peace and prosperity of the village and its people.

International Above 1 lakh RELEVANCE- NO. OF PEOPLE (Local / National / International) PARTICIPATED EVENTS/PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION (How festival is celebrated)

Padayani The ten-day annual Othara Padayani at Puthukulangara Devi Temple highlights Padayani Mela - ritual art Kakkarissi drama performance every night, Kakarissi natakam, Pooppada Pooppada thullal, Bhairavi kolam etc. The most imposing of the Padayani spectacle, the enormous headgear made of 1001 Kolamthullal painted areca nut fronds is a brilliant visual treat. On the last special poojas day the deity is conceived in art in her fierce form. There are many varieties of Kolam and 'Yakshi, Pakshi, Madan, Marutha, Kalan Kolam (Kalari), Bhairavi etc are all performed here. 'Valia Kolam' which is a big size Bhairavi Kolam (a fierce form of Bhadrakali Devi) and another giant variety known as 'Chattathel Kolam', are also usually manifested here on the last day of the festival. Chattathel Kolam uses 1001 areca sheaths and cannot be carried on the head but is pulled around the temple on hand carts and displayed in the temple compound thereafter.