Pantheeraayiram
Pantheerayiram is a ritual in which 12,008 coconuts are broken continuously in a rhythmic crescendo. This Ritual is said to be the most favourite offering to Vettakkorumakan. With a lot of festivities and special poojas/rituals, Pantheerayiram normally is celebrated in a grand scale unlike the usual vettekkaranpaattu. The Karakure Nair(the Oracle), who presides over this ritual, uses both his hands with great devotion and precision breaking each cocunut to the beat of the chenda (beat of the music). This ritual is performed for the prosperity of the family and the villagers.
It all begins by asking Lord Vettekkorumakan , his willingness to accept this ritual as an offering by performing ‘Prasna’. After getting the Lord’s approval, the day of offering is set. The oracle (Velichapaadu) starts his ‘vratham’(penance) 41 days prior to the set date
The Pantheerayiram ritual starts with Mullackal Paattu which is symbolically invoking the deity outside the environment of temple, with appropriate rites and accompanied by drums and music. Then the oracle carries the idol to the temple. The Velichapaadu now represents the deity and adorns a red attire (Thattuduthu Pattuchutty) and a red flower garland.
The Velichapaadu performs an empyreal dance accompanied with a special rhythm on the traditional drums. This routine is called Eedum Koorum.
Concurrently, the temple artists from the Kallattu Kurup family would have by then completed the Kalam(mural on the floor with coloured powders) of Lord Vettekkaran . Powders used in the Kalam are White (Rice Powder), Black (Rice Husk Powder), Yellow(Turmeric Powder), Red(Mix of Turmeric and Lime stone) and Green(Dry leaves of Vaaka tree)
The Velichapaadu then circumambulates atleast five times around and on the Kalam, taking slow rhythmic steps (Kalapradakshinam) and then leaves the venue. The Kallat Kurup sings songs praising Lord Vettekkaran, after which the Velichapaadu returns, cuts the cordon around the Kalam with a dagger, enters on to the Kalam and dances (Kalam Kaanuka). After this ritual, he takes a dip in the temple pond and returns to the kalam . He then slashes the palm leaf hangings decorating the kalam with his dagger dances slowly and rhythmically on the kalam thereby destroying and wiping the kalam using the slashed palm leaves..
Now it is time for the main ritual, the Pantheerayiram. Velichapaadu starts to crack open 12,008 unhusked coconuts on a granite stone to the rhythm of traditional drum beats, continuously until the last coconut is cracked open. This ritual normally starts at about 12 midnight and goes on till 3 AM. It is believed that after a tiresome battle with Arjuna , Lord Vettekaran became worn out and thirsty. These coconuts are broken to quench the thirst of the Lord Vettekkorumakan).