Adavi at Kurampala

Adavi PerformanceAdavi is the ‘Upasanamoorthy’ of Velan (Through hard and fast observations, prayers and offerings one can win the sympathy of a deity. Then that person can perform wonderful matters utilizing the power of that deity. Such a deity sympathising a person is referred to as Upasanamoorthy. A type of mutualism exists between the worshipper and deity), priest in ‘Sangham’ age. Once velan passed by the devi temple by chance after eradicating 'Sathrudosham’ (A person may get affected loose wealth, health, sanity etc. by the black magic done by his enemyor. This condition is termed as Sathrudosham. This can be overcome by some counter magic offerings. This counter magic is offer don by priest of such godly persons) Devi took possession of Adavi who was with the velan then, and enhanced her own strength assimilating Adavi’s spiritual power. It is believed that Padayani and care rolling (Chooral urulicha) had begun from that day. Devotees roll themselves on thorny canes and there by offer shedding blood to Devi. This ritual actually resembles ‘Narabali’ in which blood is offered to the deity killing a human being.

Adavi at Kurampala Devi Temple is performed once in five years. Adavi staged here has some special features. Adavi performance is on the ninth day of padayani. In the morning villagers reach the temple and make round with uprooted coconut palm, Areca palm, Thorny cane etc. This ritualistic observation is called ‘Thengu, Pana, chooral Kalippikkal’. Padayani begins at seven 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 Pana beating, Valiyachan gives holly ashes to devotees. Devotees thus received holly ashes travel to far off places and bring thorny canes uprooted. Rolling themselves in the thorny canes the devotees traverse the whole path around the temple. Finally the devotee rolled in cane will be lifted and removed from the ‘Kalam’. Cane covering his body will be cut removed. The blood from the wounds is supposed to have offered to kaali. This ancient way of worship resembles ‘Narabali’ (human sacrifice) in its spirit. Temple premises will be empty on the following day. Temple ground is supposed to be the playground of wicked deities on that day.