Bhagavatipaattu, Indian Ritual - Informative & researched article on Bhagavatipaattu, Indian Ritual
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Indian Festivals


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | Free E-magazine
Indian Festivals : Indian New Year Festivals l Indian Festivals l Indian Temple Festivals l Indian Religious Festivals l Indian National Festivals l Indian Regional Festivals l Indian State Festivals l Indian Fairs or Melas l Indian Hindu Customary Ceremonies l Shivaratri l Indian Customs and Rituals
Home > Art & Culture > Indian Festivals > Indian Customs and Rituals > Bhagavatipaattu
Bhagavatipaattu, Indian Ritual
Bhagavatipaattu is the ritual of praising and appeasing goddess Kali, performed in most parts of Kerala.

Bhagavatipaattu is known as one of the most popular forms of art in Kerala. This basically comprise songs that are sung in praise of the goddess Bhagavati. The Brahmins and some other castes perform Nallammapaattu and Mutippurapaattu in adoration of the goddess.

Bhagavatipaattu is generally performed in the temples or by the Brahmins at their homes because this is considered as a ritual for appeasing the goddess Bhagavati. This ritual postulates drawing the posture of the goddess in different vibrant colours. The people of Kerala believe in a legend that is popularized in the locality. As per the legend, in the ancient time, a young girl was married long after her puberty. Due to this reason her children were excluded by the upper castes. Then they formed a new community that is called by the name of Pushpaka community. The job of the people of this community was to arrange flowers, making garlands for goddess Kali and organizing dance festivals and songs in the Kaavus. Sometimes they were also involved in organizing such kind of festivals in the homes of Kshatriya and Brahmin community.

Bhagavatipaattu is presented in a different manner. In case of the festival of the Brahmins, a canopy of red and white cloth is made and it is decorated with areca palms and banana leaves. Rice paste is used to draw the shape of the temple on the ground. During the worship, the Brahmin wives sing songs and the Brahmins chant to appease Lord Ganesha and goddess Saraswati. Their songs get much intensity by the accompaniment of Elattaalam, cymbals, horns and pipes, a bronze plate. Later, a Pushpaka woman comes decked with beautiful clothes and shawl. She enters in front of the huge crowd with a plate of rice in her hand. Initially the woman sways gently with the music and gradually her dance becomes fast and frantic due to the possession of the goddess in her body. After having occupied her body and soul, the goddess starts her revelations by the mouth of the Pushpaka woman. Later a Kurup priest accompanies her with a shield and sword in his hand.

There is a series of rituals of Bhagavattipattu that takes place before and after Bhagavatipaattu. It starts with the morning and ends with the annihilation of the Demon Darika at noon. It accompanies with the hymns sung to appease the goddess Kali. During this chanting and singing of the hymns, two women appear with pound rice and turmeric in a mortar that is covered with cloth. Moreover, the juice of banyan and mango leaves, trees, coconut-palm and a liquid that is of blood colour. As the music grows fast, the pounder is beaten with more fervour. At last, the mortar is circumambulated and tumbled eastward. The water that comes out of the pot is considered as the blessings of the goddess Bhagavati.

Apart from this, another ritual is also organised by the Velas in South Kerala. They arrange this ritual for the lower caste people. In this ritual, picture painting is done and the painted picture is destroyed by a dance. It is said that the dance should be performed by a woman who has refrained from sexual intercourse. Sacrifices of fowls and goats are common practice during this ritual. After the sacrifice, the priest starts his frenzied dance and finally breaks the branches of the trees that were used in the ceremony. With this the ritual comes to an end.

Moreover, as this ritual is to appease the Goddess Kali, there are many forms of rituals distinguishing only in content, dance, song, theme and make-up and for this reason these rituals get different names. Apart from Brahmins, Bhagavatipaattu is also presented by other castes namely Black smiths, Maaraar, Malayar etc.

(Last Updated on : 22/10/2009)
  More Articles in Indian Customs and Rituals
 
Namkaran Upanayan Asvamedha Yajnya
Putting on of Caste-Marks Casting off the evil-eye Visit With Presents
Yathra or Pilgrimage Mangaia Vadyam Or Piping Kodukku Neekkal
Suryanamaskaram or prostration before the sun Significance of Hospitality Significance of Bhutayajna
Margosa leaf in front of houses Chaulam Malai-matral
Nalangu Motharappanam Asirvatham
Use Of Cow-Dung in Indian custom Naga pratishta Sati
Sakunam Pancha-Pakshi Sastram Lizard Chirping
Karakam Kavadi-Bearing Wearing Yellow Robes
Mudivangal Danam Pavithram
Cremation Of Corpses Thambula dharatfam Purification
Inauspicious Months Making of the Janeo Jahnavi
Stages in Yajna Mutual Salutation Adoption
Driving the Evil out of a body Aftermath effects of Death in Indian Customs Post birth rites
Importance Of first born child Brahminical Fasts Akshata
Janiwara Shat Tila Danam Chaturmasya
Sapindana Prayaschita Pradakshina
Prajapati-Yajna Dikshavisarjane Diksha
Pashuyajna Mahayajnas Sulagava
Jyotishtoma Rakhi Namaskara
Prajapatya Ekadasi Paurnamasi
Dikshaniyaishti Parvana-Sraddhas Pancha Saradiya Sava
Pakayajna Darsapaurnamasa Ekoddishta-Sradda
Oblations Lai Haraoba Bhagavatipaattu
Sagri Ghari Puja Datar
Perantalu Worship Nagaradhane Pattini Worship
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Festivals
  • Makar Sankranti
    Makar Sankranti is one of the most propitious occasions of India. It is celebrated with high enthusiasm and positive energy in several parts all over the country. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of Sun into the Capricorn or Makar zodiac sign.
  •  
  • Gangasagar Mela
    Gangasagar Mela is a famous pilgrim destination among people. It is located south of Kolkata, and it is second largest fair after Kumbha Mela.
  •  
     
  • Indian Independence Day
    Indian Independence Day celebrates the freedom of the nation from British rule. It is celebrated on the 15th August every year all over the country.
  •  
  • Arubathimoovar Festival
    Arubathimoovar festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu between March and April. It is a tribute to the 63 saints of Lord Shiva.
  •  
  • Kanthuri Festival
    Kanthuri Festival is colourful event that is celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated by people of all religions.
  •  
    E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
    RSS Feeds
    Forum
    Forum on Indian Festivals

    Free E-magazine
    Subscribe to Free
    E-Magazine on Indian Crafts
     
     
    Bhagavatipaattu, Indian Ritual - Informative & researched article on Bhagavatipaattu, Indian Ritual
    Sitemap
    Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
    Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.