Brahmanippattu is a type of domestic devotional offering performed usually in connection with marriages. Women of Pushpaka Brahmin

Pushpaka Brahmin

Pushpaka Brahmins or simply Pushpakas are a class of Brahmins in Kerala. They carry out the various activities of the temple, though not actual priestly activities. Pushpakas lived on the income of the temple and were under its care...

 (Ambalavasi) caste Hindu

Hindu

Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...

s called Brahmanis or Pushpinis alone are entitled to do it.

In the dance, the women stand round a decorated stool on which some symbolic representation of Bhagavathy is placed. They then sing devotional songs to the rhythm of the beating of bronze plates. These songs were sung mainly for the blessings of Goddess Kali

Kali

' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...

 and Durga

Durga

For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...

. Gradually the songs ascend in pitch and the women dance in ecstasy.

For instance, the lyrics of a Brahmanippaattu is as follows:-

"Dārikane Nigrahichu, Dārikapuram

Kudiyarutikondālente Bhagavatiyo!"