Fairs & Festivals of India 2011

[Perfection]

April

03 - Nenmara Vallangi Vela (Palakkad)
04 - Ugadi (New Year in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka), Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year).
05 - Kodungallur Kavutheendal (next day is Bharani), Malanada Kettukazhcha (30 km from Chengannur, Kaala vela, chariot. Toddy is the main offering and temple is dedicated to Duryodhana, Aswathy day in the month of Meenam.)
06 - Kodungalloor Bharani , Gangaur festival (7th also, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Nathdwara), Marwar festival (Jodhpur, up to 8th)
09 - Thirumandham kunnu pooram purappadu (Angadippuram, Malappuram)
12 - Rama Navami
14 - Tamil New Year, Baisakhi, Madurai Sri Meenachi marriage festival, Madurai Chariot festival (17th), Car festival at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam, Pavaratty church festival (St Joseph's, 15th April, Thrissur).
15 - Vishu : Guruvayur, Sabarimala (Open for 10 days), Thirunelli, Chidambaram temple
16 - Kollam Pooram, Madhur temple festival (Kasaragod).
18 - Mangala devi jungle temple festival (Thekkady/Idukki), Hanuman Jayanti.
21 - Mondy Thursday, Poomkavu church 'Sneha deeparchana' (Alappuzha), Kadammanitta Devi Temple (Pathanamthitta - Spectacular padayani performance, first day of the month of Medam)
22 - Good Friday, Thankey St Mary's church (Alappuzha), Wagamon Kurisumala kayattom (Idukki)
23 - Thirunavaya Aarat, Kollengod thookkam at Vattavila Bhadrakali temple (Palakkad)
24 - Aryankav pooram (Palakkad), Easter

Mangala devi temple

It is located in the forested Periyar wild life sanctuary near Kumily, Idukki Dt., Kerala. The 1000 year old temple is at 1330 m ASL. The festival is on Chithra Paurnami day. Access from Kumily by jeep (Rs 50, Car Rs 800) or by a 13 km trek. No photography is permitted due to an inter state border issue. Both Keralites and Tamilians visit the shrine to offer puja amidst of high security. Timing 5 am to 6 pm. Entry up to 3 pm. Contact Wildlife Warden for permit : 04869 222027.

Kodungallur Bharani festival

At Sri Kurumba Bhagavati temple thousands of oracles clad in red cloth and holding swords rushed to the temple during the 'kavutheendal' ceremony. The temple is on the North Paravur - Kuttipuram NH 17 road in Thrissur district.

Aryankavu, a small village 10 km from Shornur in Palakkad district is famous for its Pooram festival celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam 1 to 21 (in April). The most attractive thing about this festival is Kuthiravela, a colourful procession carrying the motifs of horse. The motifs will be finely decorated with tender coconut leaves and flowers. People dance in tune with the foot tapping percussions in the background.

Nenmara Vallangi Vela is a temple festival celebrated in the district of Palakkad in Kerala, India. The Vela is regarded as one of the biggest temple festivals of the State.

Nenmara and Vallangi are two deshams (regions) of Palakkad and the annual Vela festival is held as a joint invocation by them to the Goddess Bhagavathy of the Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy temple. The festival is held in the month of Meenam (March-April), according to the Malayalam calendar.

Be it the elephant pageantry or temple orchestras, the two 'deshams' vie with each other to present their best, making the festival simply majestic.

The festivities start with Kodiyettam (religious flag hoisting) at Nellikulangara temple on the first of Meenam. On the ninth day flag hoisting is done in both villages and its time for the villagers to watch Kummatti, a charming folk art form.

Karivela and Andivela, two other folk art forms are the highlights of the eighteenth and nineteenth days respectively.

The twentieth is the big day of the festival. Spectacular processions with caparisoned elephants from the two villages are taken to the Nellikulangara temple, the main venue. On reaching the temple, both sides stand face to face at the Utsavapandal (festival marquee). In a competitive spirit both sides present Panchavadyam and other traditional percussion ensembles.

After certain rituals, the processions go back to the respective deshams only to come back in the night in the same spirit and vigour. Spectacular fireworks are held in the night.

The festivities conclude after the Koora Azhikal (ritualistic lowering of the festival flags) on the twenty-first day at both deshams.