Nenmara Vallanghy Vela
Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple
The Anna Pandal
The fireworks at Vela
The adorned elephants
Nenmara Vallanghy Vela
Weather :
Tags : Fairs & Festivals
Nenmara Vallanghy Vela 2025 Date : April 2nd, 2025
Planning a Trip? Ask Your Question
Nenmara Vallanghy Vela, Nelliyampathy Overview
The Nenmara Vallanghy Vela, dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy, is celebrated at the Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, located between the twin villages of Nenmara and Vallanghy. The festival is a vibrant display of Kerala’s cultural heritage, involving traditional art forms, music, and a deep sense of devotion. The festival’s highlight is the friendly rivalry between the two villages, Nenmara and Vallanghy, as they compete to outshine each other in organizing processions, fireworks, and cultural performances.
Nenmara Vallanghy Vela 2025 Date
The main day of the Nenmara Vallanghy Vela in 2025 will be celebrated on April 2nd, Wednesday. While the festivities span several days, the final day, also known as the Vela Day, is the grand culmination of the celebrations, marked by spectacular processions, rituals, and fireworks.
source
Highlights of Nenmara Vallanghy Vela 2025
1. Elephant Procession (Ezhunnallippu)The festival’s highlight is the grand procession of caparisoned elephants, adorned with golden ornaments (nettipattam), colorful umbrellas, and traditional fans. Each village presents its own elephant procession, accompanied by music and enthusiastic crowds, creating a visual spectacle.
2. Traditional Percussion Performances
Kerala’s famous melam performances, including Panchavadyam and Chenda Melam, form an integral part of the festival. These percussion ensembles captivate the audience with their rhythmic beats and energetic performances, synchronizing with the movements of the elephants.
3. Fireworks Display
source
4. Decorated Temple Grounds
The Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple and its surroundings are beautifully decorated with lights, flowers, and traditional motifs, creating a festive ambiance. The vibrant decorations add to the festival’s charm and spiritual significance.
5. Traditional Art Forms
Various traditional art forms, including Kathakali, Theyyam, and Pulikkali (tiger dance), are performed during the festival. These performances provide a glimpse into Kerala’s rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions.
History and Significance of Nenmara Vallanghy Vela
source
The friendly rivalry between the two villages adds a unique dimension to the festival, showcasing the competitive spirit of the communities while fostering unity and cooperation. Over the years, the Vela has evolved into a grand celebration that attracts devotees and tourists alike, making it one of Kerala’s most significant temple festivals.
How to Reach Nenmara Vallanghy Vela
By Air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, located about 80 km from Nenmara. Visitors can hire taxis or take buses to reach the temple.By Train: The nearest railway station is Palakkad Junction, situated approximately 30 km from Nenmara. Trains connect Palakkad to major cities like Kochi, Coimbatore, and Chennai.
By Road: Nenmara is well-connected by road, with frequent buses and taxis available from Palakkad, Thrissur, and other nearby towns.
Read More
Read More on Nenmara Vallanghy Vela
Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple in Nenmara
The Nenmara Vallanghy Vela festival is celebrated on the paddy fields of the Nelliyampathy hills where the two towns of Nenmara and Vallanghy are located. In the valley, after the paddy harvest, the land becomes an ideal space for the celebration. The festival starts as a competition on the fields, after which both the “desas” converge with their processions towards the Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple in Nenmara of the Palakkad district, Kerala.
Mythology - History of the Festival
Celebrated for the birth of the goddess, the Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple has a fascinating history which has been found even in the scriptures of the temple.
The story goes around a man named Kodakara Nair who visited the Nelliyampathy hills from Nenmara. Tired after reaching the hills, he decided to rest under the shade of a tree. He placed his umbrella made of dry leaves beside him. That place, it is believed was the abode of the goddess who attached herself to the umbrella. While returning, Kodakara Nair did not realise that he was bringing the goddess to Nenmara. After reaching Nenmara, he placed his umbrella near the Kothakulam pond. Later, when he tried to retrieve it, the umbrella wouldn’t budge. Soon, the people realised that the umbrella had a divine power and wished to stay there.
A temple was built in place of the umbrella which is now called Shri Mulasthanam as many religious people suggested the Nellikulangara as a better place for the temple.
Another interesting story that goes around the temple related to one of the famous books named Silappatikaram. Goddess Bhagavathy is said to be the reincarnation of the female protagonist named Kannaki. Kannaki had unleashed her anger and burned the entire city of Madurai, due to the unlawful killing of her husband. On the way of returning to Kodungallur, she stayed in Nelliyampathy where she threw a gooseberry. This gooseberry landed in Vallanghy where the temple is erected.
Since then, the legend has been passed down with generations, and this festival is performed with great effort and excitement.
The story goes around a man named Kodakara Nair who visited the Nelliyampathy hills from Nenmara. Tired after reaching the hills, he decided to rest under the shade of a tree. He placed his umbrella made of dry leaves beside him. That place, it is believed was the abode of the goddess who attached herself to the umbrella. While returning, Kodakara Nair did not realise that he was bringing the goddess to Nenmara. After reaching Nenmara, he placed his umbrella near the Kothakulam pond. Later, when he tried to retrieve it, the umbrella wouldn’t budge. Soon, the people realised that the umbrella had a divine power and wished to stay there.
A temple was built in place of the umbrella which is now called Shri Mulasthanam as many religious people suggested the Nellikulangara as a better place for the temple.
Another interesting story that goes around the temple related to one of the famous books named Silappatikaram. Goddess Bhagavathy is said to be the reincarnation of the female protagonist named Kannaki. Kannaki had unleashed her anger and burned the entire city of Madurai, due to the unlawful killing of her husband. On the way of returning to Kodungallur, she stayed in Nelliyampathy where she threw a gooseberry. This gooseberry landed in Vallanghy where the temple is erected.
Since then, the legend has been passed down with generations, and this festival is performed with great effort and excitement.
Nenmara Vallanghy Vela Reviews
Your rating
Have a Question on Nenmara Vallanghy Vela?
experience.