Neelamperoor Padayani is celebrated at the 1700 year old Neelamperoor Pally Bhagavathi Temple located in Kuttanad taluk of Alappuzha district in Kerala. The main deity is Goddess Vanadurga (Kali). Pudding made of tender coconut water is the main offering to deity. Cheraman perumal (erstwhile king of Travancore) memorial is located western side of the temple.

The temple is 3 km west of Kurichy Outpost junction from the Kottayam - Changanassery MC road. One can get down at the temple by boarding Kavalam bus from Changanassery / Kottayam (16 km South west).








Padayani at this temple is an amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist culture. During festival exquisitely decorated effigies of swans, Bhima, Yakshi, Ravana, elephant etc are paraded. The construction cost of a giant swan (Velyannam has a height of 15 m) is more than Rs. 1 lakh.

Padayani is a symbolic victory march of Goddess Kali after killing Darika. The Pooram padayani festival starts on Avittom (the very next day of Thiruvonam) in Chingam at 10 pm. A gathering of the village people, coinciding with the rising of a lighted choottu (a handful dry coconut leafs) rhythmically and joyously unites their voice to mark the beginning of padayani.



Padayani programme : The first four days are of Chootu padayani at 10 pm, then for the next four days is the Kudapadayani - floral decorations on umbrella shape made from coconut leaves. From the eigth day to twelfth day effigiesmade up of green leaves of jackfruit trees are offered.

2012 Sept 6 10 pm - Kuda nivathu, Kudam pujakali, Thothakali, ezhunnullathu of poonkuda

2012 Sept 10 11 pm - Kudam pujakali, Thothakali, ezhunnullathu of plavilakolam (Bhima)

The last two days are characterised by the display of swans (Annams) which are made of plantain stems and slender leaves of coconut trees with floral decorations.

2012 Sept 14 11 pm - Kudam pujakali, Thothakali, Velakali followed by ezhunnullathu of swans and Ambalakotta.

2012 Sept 15 4 am - Palliyunarthal, ashtabhishekam, puja
6 am - Nirapani begins
12 Noon - Uchapuja, Annamootu (food for devotees)

6.30 pm - Deeparadhana, Nadaswaram
7.30 pm - Atthazha puja, breaking of coconuts by new swans
10 pm - Kudam pujakali
10.30 pm - Thothakali - rhythmic vigorous dance, folklore songs and beating of drums
11 pm - Arrival of new swans

1 am - Big swan's ezhunnullathu followed by swans, effigies, elephant, lion etc.