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FESTIVALS

The district of Palakkad known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of valleys, hillocks, rivers, forests, mountain streams, dams and irrigation projects. Situated at the foot of the Western Ghats, this is the gateway to Kerala from the north. Palakkad derives its name from the Malayalam words pala (Alsteria scholaris) and kadu (forest) which goes to prove that this place was once a beautiful stretch of forest covered with the sweet scented flowers of the pala tree.


Kalapathi Ratholsavam (festival)

Annual chariot festival at Viswanatha Temple (November)

Vela at Manappulli Kavu

Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple (March)

Nenmara Vellengy Vela

Annual festival at the Bhagavathy Temple at Nellikkulangara near Nenmara, on the Pooram day of the Malayalam month of Meenam (February/March). Highlight: Fireworks displays

Pavakkoothu

This shadow play is performed at the Bhagavathy temples of Palakkad (March/April)

Kaalapoottu

This exciting ox race is an agrarian sport held in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January).

Konganpada of Chittur

Annual festival of ritual drama at the Chittur Kavu Bhagavathy temple (February /March)

Pattambi Nercha

The festival is conducted in memory of Aloor Valia Pookkunjikoya Thangal, noted Muslim saint of South Malabar (January - February)