Neelamperoor Padayani - the enchanting rhythm of footsteps

Amidst the backwaters of Kerala in South India stands the small village of Neelamperoor (neelemperoor). It is geographically located in Kottayam district of Kerala and is famous for the Padayani or Padeni or Patayani performance that is held at the precincts of the beautiful Palli Bhagavathi temple.

The Padayani event is held on the Pooram asterism in the month of Chingam, according to the Malayalam calendar, every year.

Padayani
Padayani is a spectacular ritual art dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. The padayani performers use colorful masks or effigies that feature mythological characters. These headgears are called kolams. The dance performances are held at night amidst spectacular fireworks and the beating of thappu, a one-sided drum.

Neelamperoor Padayani differs from other padayani performances as it features a swan motif called annam kettu.

The Kadammanitta Devi temple, Kadalimangalam Devi temple, Othara Puthukulangara Devi temple and Kurampala Puthenkavil Devi temple are some other temples famous for Padayani performances.