Event Information

he Kannambra - Rishinarada Mangalam Vela, held at the Sree Kurumba Temple in Palakkad, is a captivating visual spectacle and the grand finale of the summer festivals in the Palakkad-Thrissur region. Often referred to as 'Chakka Vela,' this festival is intimately linked to a story about the harvest of jackfruits and mangoes.

During the festival, two competing groups, the Kannambra Desam and Rishinarada Mangalam Desam (desam means region), lead the festivities. A significant highlight of the festival is the grand elephant pageantry, which includes a colorful procession known as Vaalum Chilambum Ezhunnallathu, starting from the Sree Kurumba Temple and culminating at Rishinarada Mangalam Mannam, symbolizing the arrival of the Goddess. The Eedu Vedi, a midday fireworks display, is another major attraction.

The festival, comparable in grandeur to the legendary Thrissur Pooram, is celebrated with great fervor. It officially begins on Vishu day with the Kooranattal ceremony, where flags are hoisted at the Sree Kurumba Temple and Rishinarada Mangalam Mannam, signaling the start of the Vela. From the evening of Vishu, children from the local areas engage in the Kummatti ritual, dancing and chanting about the Goddess with neem tree leaves and fire sticks, leading up to the main Kummatti fest on the 40th day, which features spectacular fireworks and other significant events.