Padarkulangara Bhagavathy

പാടാർകുളങ്ങര ഭഗവതി

Padarkulangara Bhagavathy is a village goddess who is believed to have manifested spontaneously (Swayambhu) at Padarkulangara Kavu, located … Learn the full story, rituals, and temples on Theyyakkalam.

Communities: Vannan

Deity type: Goddess

Origin & Sacred Story

Padarkulangara Bhagavathy is a village goddess who is believed to have manifested spontaneously (Swayambhu) at Padarkulangara Kavu, located near Chayyoth, east of Nileshwaram.

According to tradition, a group of hunters once went out at night in the Chayyom region. During the hunt, the flame of their hunting torch suddenly went out. As they searched for a source of light, they noticed a mysterious glow coming from the place where the kavu now stands. One member of the group went to investigate. Upon reaching the spot, he witnessed a remarkable sight: Bhagavathy herself was seated on a vine swing within the sacred grove, gently swinging back and forth. The goddess gave him light for his torch from her own divine radiance. Before he left, she instructed him not to reveal to anyone that he had seen her. However, instead of returning to the hunting party, the hunter ran straight home and used the flame from the torch to light the lamp in his house. Soon afterward, the hunter died.

Following this event, a ritual divination (Prashna Chintha) was conducted. It revealed that Bhagavathy had accompanied the flame and entered the ancestral household through the sacred light. This became known as Karimoola Padarkulangara Kavu, where the goddess is worshipped in the form of an Achi wearing a Ponmudi (golden head ornament). Traditionally, the deity is represented by a headpiece wrapped in red cloth. Another important place where the goddess later established her presence was Palayi Vallikkunnu.

A well-known story associated with the goddess concerns a traditional community assembly that was regularly held at Peringara Temple. According to custom, a fixed number of representatives from each community had to attend. On one occasion, the Nambyar community found itself short by two representatives. To preserve the honour of the gathering, Padarkulangara Bhagavathy and Cheralathu Bhagavathy assumed the forms of two women and attended the assembly, thereby completing the required number.

Deeply moved by this act, a prominent Nambyar elder named Kamballur Kuruvattu Nambyar developed great devotion and respect for the goddess. He decided to worship her and later moved his residence to Chathamath. There he established the goddess, and Chathamath Puthiyara became one of her principal centres of worship.

In time, members of other communities also wished to worship Bhagavathy. Kuruvattu Nambyar generously granted the land where his sacred banyan tree stood to members of the Thiyya community. A Palliyara (sacred shrine chamber) was subsequently established there. From this point onward, the goddess expanded her presence and became established in numerous other sacred locations.

Among the principal seats associated with Padarkulangara Bhagavathy are: Thattan Cherikkal Naduvathidam Mavicheri Padinjatta Kandambath Akathoodu Koroth Kodakkal Tharavad Ankakkalari, Nileshwaram

Performance & Rituals

The Theyyam form of Padarkulangara Bhagavathy is distinguished by several unique features, including: A graceful, slow-paced dance known as Mayil Nadanam ("peacock dance") Arayoda (waist ornament) A ritual torch (Kuthu Pantham) A distinctive style of headgear The facial design known as Kutti Shankhu and Vairidalam

Cultural Significance

Traditionally, the hereditary right to perform the Theyyam of Padarkulangara Bhagavathy belongs to members of the Vannan community.

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