Padur
| Padur Padoor | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
  Padur Location in Kerala, India | |
| Coordinates: 10°39′N 76°28′E / 10.650°N 76.467°ECoordinates: 10°39′N 76°28′E / 10.650°N 76.467°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Palakkad |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 678543 |
| Telephone code | 04922 |
| Vehicle registration | KL-49 |
| Nearest city | Palghat |
| Literacy | 99.9% |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Alathur |
Padur (or Padoor പാടൂര്) is a village in Palakkad District, Kerala. There is a temple of Sree Panickanar where a yearly festival called Padur Vela is celebrated, which is the curtain raiser for Vela-Poorams in Palakkad. Padur is called as "The land of Palakkad King"
About Padur
Padur (Malayalam: പാടൂര്) is a village in Palakkad District of Kerala State. It is a border village between Palakkad and Thrissur Districts. Padur comes under Kavassery Village II of Alathur revenue taluk. In about 5 km2 geographical area,the population goes nearly up to 5000. Padur is situated 31 km from Palakkad district headquarters.
Padur is one of the rarest villages of its kind as it is surrounded by rivers on its 3 sides. River Gayathri forms boundary on north and River Mangalam on south and they meet at the west side of Padur and together flows to merge in River Bharatapuzha, the largest river in Kerala. Because of this natural distinctiveness, Padur is blessed with thick greenery. Paddy fields, banana farms and coconut trees are strewed beyond ones' line of sight.
The name Padur (Padoor:പാടൂര്) is derived from the usage : "The land (oor : ഊര്) of Palakkad King (പാലക്കാട് രാജാവ്)". This is why, the 'Vela-Pooram' celebrations in Palakkad starts from Padur. Padur Vela, usually celebrated on February 23 or 24 every year is the curtain raiser for Vela Poorams in Palakkad. The festival is celebrated as birthday of Lord Sree Panickanar, an incarnation of Lord Ayyappa. Obviously, the culture, belief, and prosperity of this village is bound to Sree Panickanar. This temple is one of the rarest of its kind as the idol is formed on its own (swayam bhoo :സ്വയം ഭൂ). Apart from this there are around six more temples in the village. They are of Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Karthiayani Kovil — of Goddess Parvathi, Sree Kurumba Kaavu — of an incarnated Goddess known as the daughter of Lord Shiva, a couple of Mariamman Kavu — temples of a Hindu goddess, and the list goes on. There is a church and a mosque in the boundaries of the village.
The majority of people belong to the Hindu religion. However, there are people from other religions such as Christianity and Muslim, and all are living together with peace and harmony, participating in celebrations of one another.
Padur has an Aided LP school which is in its 110th year of existence providing knowledge to about 5 generations. There is a primary health center and a veterinary hospital. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has set up a telephone exchange in Padur. A branch post office is also present in the village. A renowned public library and a number of sports clubs are also the assets of this small village. Blue Star Sports club has delivered many talented volleyball players to the state.
As far as transportation is concerned, Padur is having plenty of bus services as it comes in the main road connecting Alathur and Pazhayannur, which is a gateway between Palakkad and Thrissur. Padur (Main), Anavalavu, Mini Industrial Estate, Chemmannumkunnu and Thonikkadavu are the bus stops available.
People
Padur is famous for astrologers and there is a community of people who are professional astrologers. The astrologers are called Panickers and use Padur Panicker (Kalarikkal) in their names.
Irrespective of the religion, caste or colour, the people of Padur are very conservative and are closely knit together through traditions, culture, and relations. They believe that they are always looked after by Sree Panickanar, no matter which religion they belong to, everybody think of Him before they leap any step. Padur is a reference book of communal unity, peace and mutual respect, which is to be read by one and all.
Occupation
The main occupation of the people of Padur is agriculture — either as agriculturalist or as laborer. A few are working in government services. A countable number of people work in other states of India and abroad, in either public or private sectors. A few entrepreneurs also live here.
There is a Mini Industrial Estate in Padur, where small scale industries such as plastic products, power looms, soap and brick manufacturing units are running, thus providing job opportunities to people in Padur and neighboring villages.
Educational Institutions
The village has a lower primary school which is located 0.5 from padur center. The school has a massive history of a century. The school was started in 1905. Many people educated from this institution is serving in many reputed areas in the country and abroad.The school is generally called 'aksharamuthassi'(അക്ഷര മുത്തശ്ശി ) of padur. The school celebrated its diamond jubilee in 2005 with great innovations. Many famous people from different areas including Mullanezhi, Sippy Pallippuram, Therambil Ramakrishnan attended the function.The function lasted for 5 days. About 250 students and 11 teachers are now working in the school.
The founder of the School is (Late) Sri Karunakara Master.
How to reach
Padur, being in the midway between Alathur and Pazhayannur state road, is well connected through road to different places in the region such as Palakkad, Alathur, Thrissur, Nemmara, and many more. Direct buses are available from Palakkad Municipal Bus Stand, Alathur New Bus Stand and Thrissur Saktan Bus Stand. Apart from this connecting buses are also available from Palakkad Jn Railway Station and Palakkad Town Bus Stand. The nearest railway station from Padur are Palghat Jn, and Thrissur Jn. The nearest airports are Coimbatore and Cochin. Bus services are available from 5 am till 8.30 pm.
Also three wheelers (Auto Rickshaw) are available at reasonable charges.
Famous Festivals
Padur Vela celebrated in the month of February every year brings in a lot of crowd to the place. The excitement of vela starts one month before and people clean and paint their houses. People from the Padur village who stay in other places also come to attend this festival. This festival features lot of fireworks, elephant processions, and other cultural events.
Apart from Padur Vela, some more festivals are celebrated every year like the Karthika VIlakku and Brahmotsavam in Padur West Village, Manadalavilakku and Brahmotsavam in Padur East Village (Kazhani Puthan Gramam), and others like Sri Rama Navami, Navaratri, Mandalapooja, etc.
There is also a Mariamman Kovil in Padur where Mariamman Pooja is celebrated every year in the month of May.
Agraharas in Padur
There are two agraharams at Padur, where Tamil Brahmins are residing. One is Padoor Padinjare Gramam and the other is Kazhani Puthan Gramam. There is a Gopalakrishna Swamy temple at Padoor Padinjare Gramam and there is a Venkitachalapathy temple at Kazhani Puthan Gramam. The main uthsavam of Padinjare Gramam is Karthika Vilakku and falls in the month of Vrichikam. The main uthsavam of Kazhani Puthan Gramam is Mandala Vilakku and Brahmothsavam and falls in the month of Dhanu (i.e., December 23 to 28 and the 27th is the main uthsavam day Mandalavilakku). The uthsavams in both the agraharams are celebrated in a very good manner. The festival of Karthika vilaku in Padur Padinjare Gramam will be wonderful and people who once come and watch the festival will always wish to come for the next time. The Gopalakrishnaswamy in the Gramam is a Powerful and lovely God. The wishes of the people will come true if they pray to Gopalakrishnaswamy truly. Those who have no children after several years of marriage will come here to offer prayer and do Palpayasam Seva on Thiruvonam Day for getting blessing of Santhana Gopalkrishna Swamy and several families were blessed with child after this offering. They still keep coming as a thanks giving gesture to Lord and take the blessings.
The Kazhani Puthan Gramam is also called the Padur east village. On the way to the Kazhani Puthan Gramam one is greeted by a small picturesque pond, and a banyan tree which marks the entrance. Then the Kazhani Puthan Gramam starts with lines of houses on either side, with a line of coconut trees in between. At the end of the Kazhani Puthan Gramam is the Venkitachalapathy Temple. On the whole the Kazhani Puthan Gramam and Padur presents itself with a calm and beautiful face promising you a leisurely, holistic experience. The grandeur of the Mandalavilakku festival which happens on the 27th of December every year is a sight for the eyes and all other senses to behold. One must watch it to understand it and to immerse into the joy of divinity.
The gramam is now almost devoid of its original inhabitants and their generations, as people have moved in all directions for better job prospects. But every year in December, all the people who all are settled abroad and in many Indian cities come to be a part of this ulthsavam with their families and take part with their heart and soul. This stands as a proof of the love that they hold in their hearts towards the land they were raised up in or in some cases towards their parents' native or may be even grandparents.