The Othara Padayani is a vibrant ten-day annual festival held at the Puthukulangara Devi Temple in Pathanamthitta district. This festival is renowned for its presentation of Padayani, a traditional ritual art form that captivates audiences with its dynamic performances and elaborate costumes.

One of the most spectacular highlights of the Othara Padayani is the appearance of the Bhairavi Kolam. This impressive figure is constructed from 1001 painted areca nut fronds, creating a visually stunning display that is a centerpiece of the festival. The Padayani performance commences with the rhythmic beating of Thappu drums, a unique Padayani percussion instrument. This is followed by various rituals, including the Pula dance and Thavadi, setting the stage for the kolams to perform their dances.

The festival kicks off on the Chathayam asterisk in the Malayalam month of Meenam and concludes on the Thiruvathira asterisk in the same month. The rituals begin with the creation of the flagstaff for the festival, known as Adavi Kolluka, which signifies the beginning of the festivities. The Chootu Padayani, another significant ritual, lasts for the first eighteen days, with a lamp lit by the temple priest used to ignite the Chootu.

From the nineteenth day onwards, the kolam performances take center stage on the Padayani ground. The Pancha Kolam is the first to perform, continuing for the next three days. On the second day, the kolams of Sundara Yakshi and Bhairavi join the Pancha Kolam, and on the third day, the kolams of Kalayakshi and Bhairavi are featured along with the Pancha Kolam.

The festival's grand finale, known as Valiya Padayani, falls on the last day. This day sees a significant influx of visitors from surrounding regions, who come to the temple with various offerings for the kolams. They are warmly welcomed by the temple authorities and villagers, who greet them with betel leaves and tobacco. The drumming of Thappu signals the start of the Padayani performance, followed by the Pula dance and Thavadi, culminating in the magnificent pageantry of all the kolams on stage at Othera.

Throughout the festival, comic interludes such as Paradeshi and Kakkarissi provide entertainment. Besides Bhairavi, another giant kolam performed at Othera is the Chattathel Kolam. Accompanied by the beats of Chenda drums, this kolam is greeted with fireworks and features a massive headgear made using 1001 areca nut sheaths. This unique kolam is the only one of its kind performed at any temple in Kerala.

The festival concludes with the Pooppada ritual early in the morning, followed by the auspicious Mangala Kolam dance, bringing the festivities to a grand and vibrant close. The Othera Padayani is a celebration that beautifully showcases Kerala's rich cultural heritage and the community's deep-rooted traditions.