Nenmara Vallengy Vela

Nenmara Vallengy Vela is the annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple at Nellikkulangara near Nenmara, on the Pooram day of the Malayalam month of Meenam (February/March). Fireworks display is the highlight of this festival. The festival is jointly celebrated by the two neighbouring villages namely, Nenmara and Vallangi. The Vela is conducted to highlight the meeting of the deities of the Nenmara Bhagavathy temple and Vallangi Siva temple on the concluding day. The festival begins with the ceremonial 'Kodiyettam' (flag hoisting) and concludes with 'Vela' during which caparisoned tuskers line up in majestic splendour under a heavily decorated canopy. The Nenmara Vallangi Vela spectacle is considered next only to the Thrissur Pooram. On all festival days except the Vela day, the 'Kalamezhuthu Pattu' ritual and the ancient ritual art form 'Kannyarkali' are conducted. Traditional temple music such as 'Panchavadyam' and 'Pandimelam' along with folk art forms like Pulikali, Karivela, Andi Nayadi etc and the exquisite fireworks on the temple grounds, offers a rare visual treat to the spectators.