Kozhikode: The temples of Padmasaliya community in and around Koyilandy are gearing up for ‘Pandatty Varavu’ ritual on the Vishu day. Pandatty is two persons dressed like Shiva and Parvathi visiting homes to know the plight of the devotees. It has been called ‘Chappa Kettal’ and ‘Yogi Purappadu’ in other temples. At Korayangad Theru Ganapathi temple in Koyilandy, organic raw materials are used for the garb of Pandatty. Both Shiva and Parvathi will be adorned with dry leaves of plantain tree and Shiva’s moustache out of coconut fibre.
Artistically cut cucumber round pieces will be the earrings, and the crown is made up of plantain tree leaves. “Pandatti will first visit the households of temple ‘Ooralans’ followed by others," says Raveendran K.P. of Korayangad. "The members of the house will greet them with lamp and other traditional offerings. Crackers would be burst.” Youth and children will accompany the Pandatty with fun and frolic along the way making loud noises. A large crowd will throng the temple to watch out Pandatty.
The same ritual will be held at Naduvathur, Moodadi, Vellarakkad, Maramuttam, Thiruvangur temples though with a little difference. At the Acheritheru Sree Mahaganapathi temple in Naduvathur, Shiva, Parvathi and a Yogi comprise the Pandatty. “Here, the costume is entirely different. Garland made out of ‘Palapoo’ and hibiscus was put on and head covered with a white towel,” says T. K. Manoj, who resides near the temple. “It is the visit of Shiva and Parvathi in disguising attire. It is said that Padmasaliya belonged to Brahmin community earlier and their excommunication and the subsequent intervention of Shiva is the myth associated with the Pandatty arrival,” he elaborated.
