Under the leadership of the Kadathanadan Kalari Foundation, the Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami celebrations for the year 2025 were held with a wide range of programmes at the Kammana Kadathanadan Kalari Foundation.

The celebrations began on Durga Ashtami evening with the ritual of placing the weapons for puja, along with the school textbooks of the kalari students, which were also placed for worship.

Placing the weapons for worship is a very important ritual in the kalari. The weapons placed for puja on Durga Ashtami are again worshipped on Maha Navami. On Vijayadashami day, the weapons that were kept for puja are used only after the completion of the morning puja rituals.

On Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami, the puja is usually conducted in the evening. At the same time, the kalari and its surroundings are decorated, and rows of clay lamps are lit, transforming the space into a sea of lights that fills everyone’s hearts with brightness. All participants get the opportunity to light lamps. The traditional kalari lamp is also lit, and the stone lamp in the courtyard of the kalari is illuminated fully.

On Vijayadashami morning, after the puja, new children are formally admitted to the kalari by offering dakshina. This year, around 25 new children began their training at the kalari on this auspicious day by offering dakshina. Vijayadashami is also the day when, in addition to the newly joined students, those who are already training in the kalari begin using their new weapons, receiving them from the guru after offering dakshina. Following the initial dakshina ritual for the new weapons, a kalaripayattu performance was held. More than 300 people participated in the weapons puja ceremony.

The Kadathanadan Kalari Foundation continues its efforts to preserve and promote this great tradition of kalaripayattu. The programmes were led by Kadathanadan Kalari Foundation directors K. F. Thomas Gurukkal, T. N. Nishad Gurukkal, and M. S. Ganesh Gurukkal.