The festival reaches its most spectacular moment on the final day with the Valiya Padayani, the grand culmination of the celebrations. Thousands of devotees and visitors from neighboring villages gather at the temple, bringing traditional offerings for the kolams. In keeping with long-standing customs, the temple authorities and local residents extend a warm welcome by offering betel leaves and tobacco as symbols of hospitality and respect.
The concluding Padayani performance begins with the resonant rhythms of the Thappu, followed by ritual performances such as the Pula Dance and Thavadi. The celebrations then reach their peak as all the beautifully crafted kolams appear together on the Padayani ground, creating an unforgettable display of devotion, colour, and traditional artistry.
Adding a festive touch to the programme are popular folk performances like Paradeshi and Kakkarissi, which entertain the audience with humour and lively storytelling while complementing the sacred rituals.
Apart from the renowned Bhairavi Kolam, Othara is also famous for the majestic Chattathel Kolam, another giant ceremonial figure unique to the festival. Accompanied by the thunderous beats of Chenda drums and vibrant fireworks, this impressive kolam is distinguished by its enormous headgear crafted from 1,001 areca palm sheaths. It is regarded as a unique ritual performance found only at the Othara Padayani, making it an exceptional feature among Kerala's temple festivals.
The celebrations conclude in the early hours of the morning with the sacred Pooppada ritual, followed by the graceful Mangala Kolam dance, which marks the ceremonial end of the festival. Othara Padayani stands as a remarkable expression of Kerala's ritual traditions, preserving centuries-old customs while bringing together devotion, artistic excellence, and the collective spirit of the community.
