Nenmara Vallangi Vela and Nellikkulangara Devi Temple

Nenmara Vallangi vela is a famous event across the globe. Caparisoned elephant’s procession along with Melam (traditional drum beats) and vast fireworks add more attraction to the event. The event called “Vela” is being organized by two villages Nenmara and Vallnagi as a competition. Both the villages try their level best to gain supremacy in all areas including the melam and fireworks. This event is being organized on the premises of Nellikulangara Devi temple which is an ancient temple. The temple is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala.

Nellikulangara was a part of princely state “Parambikkulam” during the Sangha period, which has been ruled by the feudal lord “Pari”. In a yearlong battle, he has been defeated jointly by the kings of Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties. At that time, a Devi idol was kept at Nellikulathu Mana, a house of a Brahmin and the family members used to worship it.  After the defeat of Pari, the significance of Parambikulam and Nellikulam and along with the Mana, the Devi idol also left uncared. There is a mention of this Devi in the “Puram Kavithakal” written by Kapilar in the 14^th century.

Years have passed and the control of Chera kings over Nellikulam started diminishing. Parambikulam, which was a strong kingdom with more than 100 villages under it has got divided into several smaller regions ruled by feudal lords.

On those days, the feudal lord of Nellikulam heard about the Nellikulathu Mana and the Devi idol kept there. He took possession of the idol and consecrated near Pothakkulam. Although the idol has been worshiped as Goddess Devi by the family members of Nellikulathu Mana, while consecrating the same, the tantric did so but giving the form of Goddess Bhadrakali to the idol. At present, the deity is being worshiped as Goddess Bhadrakali. Later a new temple has been constructed in the present place and the idol has been consecrated. People belonging to Pappukkara Mana enjoy the tantric rights in this temple.

Every year on the 20^th of Malayalam month Meenam, Vela is being organized by two adjacent villages Nenmara and Vallangi. People from faraway places used to gather here. Caparisoned elephants’ procession will begin at noon and it will be over by the dusk. Fireworks start post-midnight and will last until dawn.