Festivals

Kalpathy Cart Festival

It is celebrated at Kalpathy Viswanatha Swami Temple, which is the oldest Temple in Malabar. It was built in A.D.1425 by H.H. Kombi Achan, the then Raja of Palakkad. The Retholsavam was celebrated during the last three days of Alpasi (Thulam) There are four chariots in this Grammoms. The centre of attraction of the festival is Kalpathy, Tamil Brahmin’s Village.

Chittur Konganpada

Konganpada is a grand festival of historical importance, celebrated in the Bhagavathy temple at Chittur, ten kilometres from Palakkad Town. It is held every year on the first Monday after the new moon night in Kumbhom (February-March), to commemorate the victory of Nairs of Chittur over the military of Konganadu (Coimbatore) led by the Chola King, Rajadhi Raja. The festival starts with “Chilambu” on Sivarathri in Kumbhom which reminds Kongan’s (Chola Kings) declaration of war and the frightened people worshipping Bhagavathy and beseaching her help

Jain Festival

There is an ancient Jain temple at Jainmedu, near Palakkad town. According to a legend, one sutar (head of the Jains) built this temple 500 years ago for the Jain sage. Chandranathaswamy. The Jains who came here from Mysore fled from this place during the invasion of Tippu Sulthan.

Nemmara Vallenghy Vela (Nellikulangara Vela)

To invoke the blessingsof Nellikulangara Bhagavathy, the people of Vallenghy and Nenmara conduct a festival on 20th Meenam (March-April) every year. This is the famous Nemmara Vallanghy Vela. This beautiful temple is in the Vallenghy Village of Chittur Taluk. The flag hoisting ceremony in connection with the vela is held jointly by the residents of Vallenghy and Nemmara on 9th Meenam. On all days following the flag hoisting till the eve of the vela, Kummatti, Karivela, Andivela and similar other folk rituals are performed. These three ceremonies together are known as Kanyar. The pomp and splendeour of the festival would put it in second place, perhaps only to the Pooram festival of Thrissur.

Ottappalam Nercha Festival

Juma prayers are held in Ottappalam mosque on Fridays. To commemorate the death anniversary of a saintly person by name Uthman Auliya, an annual festival is held in January-February. The special feature of this festival is the grand procession which ceremoniously brings various things such as rice, coconuts etc. to the mosque as offerings. On the next day, a feast is held where the various articles received will be cooked and distributed to the poor.

Sivarathri Festival at Kallekulangara

The festival is conducted for nine days and ends withan arattof the Diety Hemambika in KalpathyRiver. The festival is celebrated in the Kallekulangara Bhagavathy Temple, at Akathethara.

Manappulikavu Vela

The important festival of Manappullikavu at Yakkara is the annual Vela.

Aratt Festival in Kachanamkurichy Temple

Kachanamkurichy temple is an important Vishnu temple in palakkad. The Arrat festival here in the month of May attracts many people.

Navarathri festival in Pallavur Siva Temple

Amavasi Festival in Trippallur Siva Temple, Pooram festival in Kongad Bhagavathy temple and Retholsavam at Kodumba Subrahmanya Temple are some of the important festivals which attracts a large number of devotees. Mahamakom is also held in the Kodumbu temple once in twelve years.

Kanniyarkali

An art form exclusive to the Nair Community of the district is performed in temples as well as Nair centers of Palakkad. This is directly connected with the Karnaki Cult of South India. (Mar/Apr)

Pavakkoothu

Pavakkoothu is also known as Tholpavakoothu. This shadow play proclaims Palakkad’s indebtedness to Kamba Ramayanam and its Tamil literacy culture. Shadow play is performed at the Bhagavathy temples of Palakkad. (Mar/Apr)

Kaalapoottu

This exciting ox race is an agrarian sport ( Cattle Race /Kala Poottu) is an enthusiastic rural sports. A pair of Oxen are raced at a time through ploughed fields with water. Kalavandiyottam and Cattle Race are also a kind of sports of the season. This Agricultural sports is held in the Malayalam month of Makaram in Palakkad District. (Jan)

Chinakathoor Pooram

One of the main pooram festivals of Kerala, it is held at the Sree Chinakathoor Bhagavathy Temple at Palappuram and features a pageant of 33 tuskers. (Feb/March)