Sri Nellikulangara Bhagavathi Temple — Attraction in Kerala

Nemmara, a small village in the Palakkad District of Kerala state, southern India is known far and wide for its ‘Vela’ festival known as Nemmara–Vallangi Vela. Venue : Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple Nenmara Vallangi Vela is an annual festival of Kerala celebrated at Nellikulangara Bhagavathy temple in Palakkad village. Nenmara and Vallangi are two neighbouring villages in the district. In fact, this festival is a competition between these two villages. The festival begins with the traditional flag hoisting ceremony, called as Kodiyettam. Various art forms like Karivela, Kummatti and Andivelaare are staged during Nenmara Vallangi Vela. During the celebration, 30 caparisoned elephants line up in ritual magnificence under a decorated canopy. The Nenmara Vallangi Vela is the second important festival similar to Thrissur Pooram. Nemmara Vela This ancient festival that is much awaited by the people of Nemmara and Valanghi, the famous “Nemmara Vallanghi vela”, falls on the 20th day of “Meenam” in the Malayalam month (2nd or 3rd of April, every year). The arrival of Nemmara Vela brings a spirit of celebration and rejoicing to the region. Nemmara and Vallanghi compete to outdo each other in the pomp and show for the vela, which includes decorated elephant processions, instrumental music, and above all the grand fireworks display, which is unique to the Nemmara Valanghi vela. Nemmara and Vallanghi have their own temples for conducting the vela proceedings, but the Nellikkulangara temple, which is the main center for the vela proceedings, is common to both Nemmara and Vallanghi. Here is a brief description of the Nemmara Valanghi Vela proceedings: The formalities and preparation for the vela starts around 20 days earlier to the actual date of the vela. On the 1st of “Meenam” the vela representatives and the elders of each desams (Nemmara desam and Vallanghi desam) meet at Nellikulangara and with the permission of all people one red silk cloth called ‘Kuura’ is tied on top of “Kalam”. ”Kalam” is a drawing of the Bhagwathi made using colour powders. It is done by experts having years of experience in this. From that day “Kalam Pooja” and “Kalam Paatu” are performed .The songs in “Kalam Paatu” are for praising the Bhagwathi and telling her legendary story. The “Kalam Pooja” and “Kalam Paatu” continue for the next 21 days. From the 9th of “Meenam” starts the folk activity of “Kummatti”. This is conducted to resemble the gods of heaven supporting the Bhagwathi for killing the demon “Daarikan”. ”Kummatti” is made of bamboo and decorated with flowers of “Arali”. These flowers are arranged in form of rings and then tied in the rows over the bamboo. “Kanimangalam”,”Mananagodu”,”Puthanthara” and “Vetaikorumakan” are the four main groups who make their “Kummattees”. These groups join at “Vetaikorumakan” temple and the “Kummattees” are placed in front o the temple. Sometimes these “Kummattees” are decorated with lights. Each group tries to out do the other in the number of rows of flowers in their “Kummattees”. These folk activities continue for the next 9 days i.e. up to the 17th of “Meenam”.

The next day starts the “Kari Vela” or the vela in black. This is done to resemble the “Bhagwathi” with Lord Shiva’s disciples called the ‘Bhootha Gana’ coming back victoriously after killing the demon .Each four groups start the “Kari Vela” from their respective places. They dance in front of all the Nair Tharavadu. By midnight these four groups meet in front of “Vetaikorumakan” temple. The next day i.e. on the 19th of “Meenam” night, people celebrate the folk of “Andivela”. That night the sword and “Chilambu” of the Goddess is carried from “Mannam” to “Vetaikorumakan” Temple accompanied by three elephants and “Melam”. The same night the auction for the elephants used in the vela is conducted. Lakhs of rupees are collected during the auction for the vela. One who gets to win the auction gets the...

Sri Nellikulangara Bhagavathi Temple is a temple located in Nemmara village, Nemmara,Palakkad district ,Kerala,India . It is a temple dedicated to the diety , Nellikulangara Bhagavathi . The temple forms an integral part of the rituals of Nenmara-Vallanghi Vela on April (every year)

The folklore related to Goddess Nellikulangara Bhagavathi can be said to be rather interesting. The religious scripts of the shrine also talk about the same. Many years ago, Kodakara Nair travelled to the hills of Nelliyampathy hills via Nemmara. Upon reaching the hills of Nelliyampathy, he was exhausted and he resolved to rest for a while beneath the shadow of a nearby tree.He kept an umbrella which was composed of palm leaves that had been dried, close to him. The Goddess who came to visit the place that he was seeking rest in, had attached herself to his umbrella. When the man came back to Nemmara, he wasn't aware of the fact that he was bringing along with him, Goddess Bhagavathi to the village of Nemmara. When he reached Nemmara, he kept his umbrella close to a pond, by the name of Kothakulam.Later on, when he attempted to move the umbrella it wouldn't budge. Later, people of the village realized that there is a divine energy that Kodakara Nair acquired from the hills of Nelliyampathy and also the fact that it wishes to reside there and bless the village and its people. A shrine, which is now famous by the name of Sree Moolasthanam was erected at the spot where Nair kept the umbrella. People of the village started praying to Goddess Bhagavathi and she blessed them. After many years, some saints and astrologers were of the opinion that Nellikulangara was a better place to build the temple. As a result of this, The Devaswom of Cochin constructed a new shrine, which is now popular as Nellikulangara for Goddess...

Sri Nellikulangara Bhagavathi Temple is a temple located in Nemmara village, Nemmara,Palakkad district ,Kerala,India . It is a temple dedicated to the diety , Nellikulangara Bhagavathi . The temple forms an integral part of the rituals of Nenmara-Vallanghi Vela on April (every year)

This ancient Nellikulangara Bhagavathi temple is situated 29 km away from Palakkad town and Nellikulangara is well connected by road from Palakkad town and other nearby places. The nearest railway station is Palakkad railway station and the nearest Airport is Coimbatore Airport in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu which is 55 kms away.

Sri Nellikulangara Bhagavathi temple is a beautiful temple located in Vallanghi village of Chitur taluk in Palakkad District of Kerala. The presiding deity here is the Goddess known as Sri Nellikulangara Bhagavathi. Thousands of devotees from all over the state throng this temple to seek the blessings of Nellikulangara Bhagavathi every year. This temple is famous for its Nenmara Vallangi Vela festival conducted jointly by two villages Nenmara and Vallangi which is only second to Thrissur Pooram. This festival is a competition between two villages to conduct the festival with great...