Kunnathoor Padi

Kunnathur Padi is the historic center for the folk Hindu deity Sree Muthappan. The center stands in the Kannur District of the Kerala state of South India, 3,000 feet above sea level, on top of Udumbumala in the Sahyadri mountains.The Kunnathur Padi festival is conducted here, but no temple exists for Sree Muthappan. The festival takes place in a natural setting, as it is believed that Sree Muthappan said, "Fallen leaves, a spring, a large mountain, a round stone, forest and palm trees are enough for me."Festival DetailsDuring the festival season, a temporary Madappura is erected, called Sreekovil, in the middle of the forest. There is a glade and a cave in the middle of the forest. On the west side of the Madappura is a stone, a rock stand and a mud platform. On each side of the cave there is a palm tree. On the north side, there is a spring called Thiruvankadavu. Beyond that is Aadipadi.Thanthries do the purifying rituals (Sudhi, Pasudanam, Punyaham, Ganapati homam and Bhagavathiseva). The Malayirakkal (invoking) of Sri Muthappan is done by Puralimala. In all other madappuras, this is done by Kunnathurpadi.Thiruvappana and Vellattam do not appear simultaneously in the padi as in many other Sree Muthappan centres.The festival at Padi lasts from the month of Dhanu to Makaram (mid-December to mid-January).