Adavi
Adavi is the most important ritualistic function of Padayani which runs for several days. Routine ritualistic performances will be there on adavi day too. In addition, comedy forms such as Seethankan thullal and Vairavi and special ritualistic functions such as Panayadi, Chat will be there. Adavi is generally on the third, sixth or the ninth day since the commencement of Ezhuthi thullal. There will be a special panthal (canopyf) for adavi. Triangular shaped Adavikkodu are made with ‘Palakkampu’ (Stick cut taken from a tree named Paala) and leafy twigs. In front of each koodu, there will be a wooden block. A person stands near the Panayorukku(Things arranged for Pana) with a Panakkutty one side of which is made hollow. Velan begins Parakottichattu. The atmosphere is made uproarious with Aarpuvili and Kathinavedi. The person holding Panakkutty gets possessed and walks round the Panayorukku. After making three such rounds he calls out aloud standing at the temple entrance. At this time another possessed person making roaring sound reaches Adavikkalam with quick running steps. The person who prepares himself with Katina Vratha (hard fast routines imposed on the self) to perform Panayadi will surely reach Adavipanthal for the purpose even if he is buried under ground, putting huge stones on flat wood block placing on the earth above him.
This person walks around panayorukku and receives himself the Panakkutty while making each round, he breaks one tender coconut each hitting on the wooden block. A single hitting is allowed for each coconut. If the coconut is not broken in a single hitting, it is regarded as an ill omen. In his way, he should break all the tender coconuts placed in the panthal.
Chooral Adavi
Adavi at Kurampala Devi Temple is performed once in five years. Adavi performed here has some special features. Adavi is on the ninth day of padayani. In the morning villagers reach the temple and make round with uprooted coconut palm, Areca palm, thorny rattan plants etc. This ritualistic observation is called ‘Thengu, Pana, chooral Kalippikkal’. Padayani begins at 9pm in the evening. Seethankan thullal, Vairavi etc. are staged. By midnight Velichappadu, honorably titled here Valiyachan, begins Pana beating . Velan begins Parachattu at the Moolasthanam.. After this, Valiyachan gives bhasmam, the prasadam to devotees. Devotees then go far off places and bring thorny rattan plants and roll themselves in those thorny rattan plants.
Finally the devotee rolled in thorny rattan plants will be lifted and removed from the Kalam. The thorny rattan plants which will be covering the whole body will be cut and removed. The blood from the wounds is supposed to be offered to kaali. This ancient way of worship resembles ‘Narabali’ (human sacrifice) in its spirit. Ayurveda describes rattan as the medicine for vitiated pitta, chronic fever, skin deceases. etc..
Temple premises will be empty on the following day. Temple ground is supposed to be the playground of wicked deities on that day.
Thelliyoor, Kadalimangalam, Kaviyoor are other major padayani centres are perform chooral adavi
Azhiyazhikkal, Adavi Uyarthal
As the flame rises in the ‘Aazhikkalam’ and sound of conch rises three times amidst Adavi vili villagers rush to the kalam with Karimpana (a type of palm), Areca Palm, Bamboo, Banana, Mango tree etc. to extinguish the flame. After doing this trees are planted there. Then the ground resembles a small forest. People climb on these trees and break the branches including small twigs. At the same time a huge flame is made burning bundles of dry coconut leaves. As the fire extinguishes, plants are put down and removed from the Kalam thus adavi comes to an end.
