Archana: Vedi Vazhipadu 11 Nos

What is a Vedi Vazhipadu? 

“Vedi” means “crackers,” and “Vazhipadu” is worship. Vedi Vazhipadu is thus a unique worship done with the bursting of crackers. This form of worship is practiced in some temples, especially in the state of Kerala. 
Though strange, this Vedi Vazhipadu is also an offering made to the Gods as a means of propitiating them.

What is the significance of an offering?

An offering is an oblation made to the deities. Even though the idols of the deities are made of stone, five metals or any other material, they are not mere inert objects, but are considered active matter imbibed with energies that can connect and resonate with human life forms. They have manifested in various forms on Earth, thus making themselves available to influence and elevate the lives of those who are willing to connect with them. Any form of offering made with worshipful reverence and sincere devotion will make the divinities reach out to the devotees and bestow their blessings on them. Understanding this underlying principle helps to appreciate and approach the remedies with better focus and reverence.

Vedi Vazhipadu is one such offering and is made to Goddess Bhagavathi here.

What is the importance of Goddess Bhagavathi? 

Bhagavathi is Goddess Shakthi, who combines in herself supreme power and motherly compassion. Known also by many other names, she is the active dynamic principle primarily responsible for all prosperity, and is a generator of fertility, purity and abundance. It is Goddess Bhagavathi who is invoked in this Vedi Vazhipadu.

How is Vedi Vazhipadu conducted and what are the benefits of doing it?

In this ritual, devotees burst one after the other 11 crude crackers that are prepared by packing gunpowder in a thick metallic tube and setting fire to it. This ritual is generally followed by an archana done to the Goddess in the name of the devotee. While this is done for incurring the goodwill of the Goddess, it is also believed that the big noise that the explosion makes will drive away the evil spirits affecting the devotees. The mother Goddess, pleased with the remedy, will give her blessings to the devotees, and this will help remove all the negativities from their lives and fill them with positive energies.