PADAYANIVATTAM DEVI TEMPLE
Vallikunnam Padayanivettom Devi Temple is an ancient and historic Hindu temple located in Vallikunnam area of Mavelikkara taluk of Alappuzha district. This temple holds a great place in the cultural heritage of Onattukara and is centuries old.
The legend and history of this temple can be briefly described as follows:
The legend behind the name
There is a beautiful legend related to the name of the temple. In the early days, the villagers of this area regularly performed rituals like Padayani, Thottampattu, Kalamezhuthum Pattum to please the Kalaridevas.
Once, while the Padayani was walking at night, the people there noticed two very beautiful women standing in the light of the lanterns. To know about this miraculous phenomenon, the locals got together and held a 'Devaprasnam'. In the devaprasna, it was revealed that the presence of Sri Durga Devi and Sri Bhadrakali was present in that area, and that these two goddesses were seen in the light of the lanterns.
Then the people decided to build a temple there for the goddesses. This area and the temple got the name 'Padayanivettom' because it was the place where the goddesses were seen in the light of the Padayani (Vettam).
Temple Enshrinement and Importance
Main Deities: The main deities (twin goddesses) in this temple are Durga Devi and Bhadrakali. The devotees call the goddesses as 'Padayanivettamamma'.
Age: According to the available documents and history, this temple is believed to be more than 1200 years old.
Architecture: The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style.
Major Festivals and Ceremonies
Like other goddess temples in Onattukara, festivals and celebrations are celebrated on a grand scale at the Padayanivettam temple.
Kumbhabarani/Meenabarani Festivals: The annual festival at the temple is a major cultural event of the country.
Rituals: Kettukazhcha (Kettutsavam), Thottampattu, Kalamezhuthum Pattum, and Jeevatha Esunlamath are the main attractions during the festival.
