Sri Chinakkathoor Bhagavathi Temple — Attraction in Kerala

Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple is located in Palappuram and about 5 km from Ottappalam, Palakkad, north Kerala. The temple is in the middle of a huge ground where the Chinakkathoor pooram is conducted every year.There are two shrines are Thazhekavu (lower shrine) and Melakavu (upper shrine). Melakavu is believed to be older than Thazekavu. The priests of the upper shrine traditionally come from the Kulangara nair family of Palappuram. Namboothiri priests do the pujas[what language is this?] in the lower shrine and in the ten days of Pooram. They are in charge of the upper shrine as well. There is a shrine dedicated to Lord Vigneshwara (Ganapati) who is believed to be in his divine "Vidya Ganapati" form, adjoining the temple complex near the iconic banyan tree (ficus religiosa).Chinakkathoor Festival is celebrated every year in February-March (makam naal of kumbham).

The highlight of the evening festivities is a procession of 28 tuskers. Traditional performances of the Panchavadyam or the temple orchestra and various other art forms like Vellattu, Theyyam, Poothanum thirayum, Kaalavela, Kuthiravela, Aandi Vedan, Karivela, and so on are shown. The Tholppavakkoothu, a ritualistic shadow puppet show, is performed at the temple premises every evening for the 17 days preceding the concluding festival. The festival starts with kuthira (horse) game and ends next day with Theru (Ratham), a decoration by Mudaliar tamils of Palappuram, and the procession of 16 models of the kuthira (horse) and the kaala (bull) brought ceremoniously to the temple by devotees. Unlike other Ratham in Tamil Nadu or Kalpathy, this is not pulled by Vatam (coir) and runs on...

A small two-in-one temple situated in Palappuram near Ottappalam in Palakkad district, Central Kerala. It is a very wonderful temple, with many peculiarities. The temple has two forms of Goddess Bhadrakali as the main deities, one in a peaceful form and the other in a fierce form. A major peculiarity is that the temple is facing south, which is very very rare. Usually, it is Lord Dakshinamoorthy (A form of Lord Shiva) who is installed facing south. There is a funny legend behind it, related to Ramayana. I am not telling it here. Another peculiarity is that there are three kodimarams (flag-staffs) here. Two of them are on the ground, while the other is downwards. One more peculiarity is that both shrines are at two altitudes, with the temple housing the Goddess's peaceful form at the lower altitude and that housing her fierce form at the higher altitude. The idol at the lower shrine is small and swayambhoo (self-appeared) and does not have a human form, while that at the higher shrine is larger, newer and has the form of four-armed Goddess Bhadrakali. There is also a shrine of Lord Ganapathi nearby. This shrine faces west, which is another rarity. The major festival of this temple is 'Chinakkathoor Pooram' in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March). For that, there will be huge programmes and the most important one is horse rising. There are six desams for pooran. The temple is under the control of Malabar...

Chinakkathoor Pooram is an unforgettable cultural experience that beautifully showcases Kerala’s vibrant traditions and festive spirit. Held annually at the Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple in Ottapalam, Palakkad district, this pooram stands out for its unique charm and deep-rooted rituals.

The highlight is undoubtedly the majestic procession of richly decorated elephants, accompanied by Paandi melam (percussion ensemble), colorful folk performances, and the iconic poothan and thira artists. The energy is electrifying, with locals and visitors coming together in celebration, creating a truly inclusive atmosphere.

One of the most fascinating elements is the kuthira vela—towering wooden horses carried by devotees in a spirited parade that reflects centuries of devotion and artistry. The entire event is a visual and spiritual treat that resonates with Kerala's cultural identity.

Whether you're a local or a traveler, Chinakkathoor Pooram is a must-see festival that offers a deep dive into Kerala’s heritage, leaving you with...