Sree Madathumpadi Devi Temple, located at Naranganam in Pathanamthitta, annually celebrates the Padayani festival as part of the harvest season. As a thanksgiving for the year’s good harvest, the padayani at Naranganam begins with the offering of Noottiyonnukalam Padachoru (pongala in 101 pots) to the Goddess. Like almost all Padayani festivals, the ritual here too begins with Chootu vaipu on the first day. The second day is the day of Pacha Thappu (Thappu made out of fresh wood of the jackfruit tree and covered with buffalo hide) and will be followed by Adavi accompanied by Thappu Melam. And on the same day, Kolam performance also begins. Edappadayani on the sixth day and eighth-day Valiya Padayani are celebrated. The Valiya Padayani here is also known as koottakkolam performance in which all types of padayani kolams are paraded in a customary procession. The Mangala Bhairavi kolam followed by Pooppada on the tenth day marks the grand finale of padayani festival at Madathilkavu Devi temple. The kolams performed at Naranganam include that of Ganapathy, Marutha, Yakshi, Madan, Kuthira, Arakki Yakshi, Kaalan, and the majestic Bhairavi Kolams. Paradeshi, Pulavritham, and Kummi are the comic interludes at Naranganam. Velakali and Thavadi are also performed here. The performance of Kalan Kolam, which holds a kingly status among other kolams, at Naranganam is based on Markandeya Charitham, the story of Sage Markandeya from the Puranas. The legend is that Markandeya was saved by Lord Siva from the clutches of death.
Naranganam Madathumpadi Devi Temple
Kadammanitta Kozhencherry Rd, Madathumpady, Naranganam -689642
Pathanamthitta
In the Malayalam month of Kumbham
The temple is located about 11 kms away from Pathanamthitta Town. Thiruvalla and Chengannur Railway Station is about 18 kms away from the temple.
In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs. We have calculated the festival dates based on these. But there can be changes in the dates according to the customs and rituals associated with each place of worship. As such, these should be considered only as approximate dates and have to be confirmed with the local authorities.
