Among the most vibrant sights seen in all of Alappuzha district is the annual Neelamperoor Padayani Festival held at the Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavathy Temple. This festival takes place in the Malayalam month of Chingam (usually August/September) and is known for its unique and rare Padayani displays in Kerala. The highlight of this festival is the Kettukazhcha, which involves the display of beautifully decorated effigies. Massive effigies of swans and other legendary characters are brought in through a local procedure known as annamkettu. At night, the festival's ambience is set by a colorful procession carrying these effigies, depicting mythological characters like Bhima, Ravana, and Yakshi. The aura and mystique surrounding this site and its traditions have amazed and inspired many for centuries, making it one of the most extraordinary events in the entire district.

The Padayani festival at Palli Bhagavathy Temple is a unique blend of life and myths, providing a multifaceted view of the cultural richness and unity of the people. Padayani, with pre-Dravidian origins, is a proletarian ritual theatre art form prevalent in the temples of Central Travancore regions of Kerala. As the night winds blow, a splash of vibrant colors and daunting masks that wiggle to mysterious rhythms create a blazing spectacle unique to Padayani. It is a spectacular amalgam of music, dance, painting, theatre, and satire that takes its spectators into a whole new world.

The Padayani festival of Palli Bhagavathy Temple at Neelamperoor is special for several reasons. The temple, dedicated to Vanadurga, has a history of around 1,700 years. Popularly known as Neelamperoor Padayani, the Pooram Padayani festival is held on the Pooram asterism in the Malayalam month of Chingam (mid-August/ mid-September). The padayani held here is different from the Padayani performances in other temples in terms of rituals and ceremonies.

The distinguishing feature of the Neelamperoor Padayani is the procession of effigies of huge and small swans, Bhima, Ravana, Yakshi, and Elephant as offerings to the goddess. These deftly decorated effigies showcase the consummate craftsmanship of the artists of Kerala. The Padayani celebrations begin right after the Thiruvonam asterism and continue till the Pooram asterism, which marks the birthday of the Bhagavathy.

The rituals of Padayani start with the symbolic sanction of the Cheraman Perumal situated at the western side of the temple. For this, the devotees march toward his monument with lit torches of coconut leaves. This ritual continues for four days. Kudapadayani, consisting of floral decorations in umbrella shapes made from the stems of coconut leaves, follows the next four days. In the subsequent four days, effigies made out of green leaves of jackfruit trees are offered. The Swan (Annam) effigies come on the last two days, made of plantain stems and slender leaves of coconut trees with ixora floral decorations. The big swan, which is about 45 feet high, offered to the deity, forms the highlight of the last day.

Thothakali is yet another fascinating part of Neelamperoor Padayani. It is a rhythmic dance performed in front of the fire accompanied by drumbeats and traditional music. This vibrant festival not only highlights the rich cultural heritage of Kerala but also brings together communities in a celebration of unity and tradition.