Nenmara Vallangi Vela Festival in Kerala

Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is sitauted at Nellikkulangara near Nenmara, Palakkad district.Nenmara Vallangi Vela is one of the grandest temple festivals of Kerala, this is an experience for a lifetime, if you can be part of it with all the charm and colours of two villages around you. The Nenmara Vallangi Vela is the occasion to celebrate the annual joint invocation of the Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy by the people of Nenmara and Vallangi villages. This annula event attracts thousands from…

About Nenmara Vallangi Vela

Nellikulangara Bhagavathy Temple is sitauted at Nellikkulangara near Nenmara, Palakkad district.Nenmara Vallangi Vela is one of the grandest temple festivals of Kerala, this is an experience for a lifetime, if you can be part of it with all the charm and colours of two villages around you. The Nenmara Vallangi Vela is the occasion to celebrate the annual joint invocation of the Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy by the people of Nenmara and Vallangi villages. This annula event attracts thousands from all over the places and a huge crowd gathers to commemorate the event. Being one of the best known Fairs and Festivals of Kerala the Nenmara Vallangi Vela is the occasion of flag hoisting to celebrate the grand occasion.Fireworks display is the highlight of this festival. Various art forms like Karivela, Kummatti and Andivelaare are staged during Nenmara Vallangi Vela. During the celebration, 30 caparisoned elephants line up in ritual magnificence under a decorated canopy. Spectacular processions with caparisoned elephants from the two villages are taken to the Nellikulangara temple, the main venue.

The festival is held in the month of Meenam (March-April), according to the Malayalam calendar.The place Nenmara is located 28 kilometers from Palakad town and there are frequent buses to Nenmara from here. The place is easily reached.

Interesting things to Visit

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary:

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary TravelSprawling over 285 sq.kms, this neighbouring sanctrary shelters the largest population of wild Gaur ( Bison) The Cannimare Teak Tree, said to be the largest in the Asian continent towers roughly 5kms away from Thunakadavu-the headquarters of Parambikulam.

Malampuzha:

Malampuzha has an aerial ropeway across the garden, a telescope tower, boating and fishing facilities, a swimming pool, fresh water aquarium and a snake park. Fantasy Park is a good spot for children. At Dhoni you can go on a 3-hour trek from the base of Dhoni Hills to the waterfall at the reserve forest area.

Jungles of Sahya Ranges:

These Sahya Ranges are famous for its evergreen forests.

Padagiri:

Nelliyampathy has the highest peak at Nellikotta which is also called Padagiri. The hills dipped in the pristine beauty of nature are sprinkled with picturesque tea, coffee, cardamom, vegetable and orange plantations. The hills of Nelliyampathy are a delight to adventure lovers and trekkers.

Seethakunda:

Seethakundu offers a fantastic view of the valley below-a wide angled panoramic picture of about one third of Palakkad, as beautiful as the green Valleys of Kodaikkanal.

Nelliyampathy Hill station:

Nelliyampathy is located just 75 km from Palakkad and at an altitude of 467 m to 1572 m Nelliyampathy Hill Station Tours, the Nelliyampathyhilll comprise a chain of ridges cut off from one another by valleys of dense evergreen forests and orange plantations. Accessing Nelliyampathy from Palght is a sensation on its own, as you negotiate over a dozen haipin curves of the ghat road passilng through the fascinating jungles of the Sahya Ranges.Seethakundu at nelliyampathy offers fantastic view of the valley below-a wide-angled vision of a third of the entire Palghat area.

Pothundi Dam:

The Pothundi Damwas constructed with the aim of providing water for irrigation to the district of Palakkad in the state of Kerala. In the 19th century, the Pothundi Dam was built in the Indian state of Kerala. The design of the dam constructed at that time was much ahead of its contemporaries. The construction of the dam was made without using a traditional concrete core. The traditional concrete core was used in the construction of most of the dams in order to counter the force applied by huge water pressure.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Wadakanchery police station
Wadackanchery, Thrissur
Kerala
Tel: 04884 233100.

Karunya Nagar Police Station
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Tel: 0422 2615701.

Chelakkara Police Station
Pazhayannur Road, Chelakkara
Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

Malabar complex
Malabar Complex, Grammam road
Vadakkencherry post Palakkad
Kerala state, PIN- 678683

Paalana Hospital
Palakkad, Kerala

Government Hospital
Chittur, Palakkad
Kerala

Hosephiinr zMemmorial Hospital
Malampuzha
Palakkad-815160, kerala.

Madhavi Amma Hospital
Sultanpet, Palakkad
Kerala.

Kerala Nursing Home
Court Road, Palakkad
Kerala

Thankam Hospital
Palakkad, Kerala

Useful Links

http://keralatourist-place.blogspot.com/2009/07/nenmara-vallangi-vela.html
http://topics4all.blogspot.com/2008/03/nenmara-vallangi-vela.html
http://www.malayalamfun.com/2009/05/nenmara-vallangi-vela.html
http://nenmara.blogspot.com/2009/04/briefing-on-nenmara.html
http://nishvictor.blogspot.com/2009/04/beauty-of-palakkad.html
http://shyamrrr.blogspot.com/2008/03/nenmara-vallangi-vela-on-april-2nd-2008.html

Location info

Address: Nellikkulangara, near Nenmara, Palakkad, kerala, India.
District: Palakkad district.
Nearest City: Coimbatore, Pollachi, Dindigul and Madurai.
Best time to visit: March - April.

Things to do at Nenmara Vallangi Vela

Watch the Grand Fireworks, Elepahants and also the diety of Bhagavathy.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Kerala cuisine — fish curry, appam with stew, puttu, and Kerala sadhya — is widely available and famously delicious.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from homestays to luxury resorts. Kerala’s homestay network is excellent and offers authentic local experiences.

Climate & weather

Kerala has a tropical monsoon climate with warm, humid conditions year-round. The best time to visit is November to February, when temperatures are a pleasant 22°C–30°C with low humidity and clear skies. March–May is hot and humid (up to 36°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall — the landscape transforms into lush green and this is the best time for Ayurvedic treatments. The northeast monsoon (October–November) brings shorter showers. Hill stations (Munnar, Wayanad) remain cooler year-round.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Nenmara Vallangi Vela

Nenmara Vallangi Vela takes place according to the Malayalam calendar. The best time to witness this festival is during its scheduled dates, which vary annually. Most Kerala festivals occur between November and May (the dry season). Check the official dates from Kerala Tourism before planning your visit.

How to reach Nenmara Vallangi Vela

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction / Ernakulam Town Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

Timings & opening hours

Festival timings vary by event. Most temple festivals start in the morning with flag-hoisting ceremonies and continue through the evening with processions, cultural programs, and fireworks. Night processions typically start around 8:00 PM–9:00 PM and continue past midnight.

Entry fee & tickets

Most festival events are free to attend and watch. Processions and temple grounds can be accessed without charge. Special seating for fireworks viewing may cost INR 100–500. Some cultural performances during festivals may have ticketed entry.

Duration needed

Major festivals last 8–10 days. Visitors typically spend 2–3 hours per day watching key events. The main procession day requires 4–6 hours.

Safety tips

Very large crowds gather at Nenmara Vallangi Vela — keep your belongings secure and watch for pickpockets. Arrive early for a good viewing position of processions. Follow the instructions of festival volunteers and police. Keep children close and establish a meeting point in case of separation. Carry water and stay hydrated. Avoid bringing large bags or valuables to crowded festival grounds.

Things to carry

Comfortable shoes for walking and standing (crowds can be very large, seating may not be available), drinking water in a reusable bottle, a hat or cap, sunscreen and umbrella for day events, a light snack, earplugs (processions can be very loud with drums and fireworks), a camera (zoom lens recommended for procession shots), a power bank, and a small bag that can be secured against pickpockets.

Nearby visiting places

Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, Cherai Beach, Bolghatty Island, Marine Drive, Chinese Fishing Nets, Hill Palace Museum, Kerala Kathakali Centre, St. Francis Church

Nearest airport, railway & bus

History of Nenmara Vallangi Vela

Nenmara Vallangi Vela is one of Kerala’s vibrant festivals that showcase the state’s rich cultural and religious diversity. Kerala’s festivals are renowned for their spectacular processions featuring caparisoned elephants, traditional percussion ensembles (pancha vadyam), colourful umbrellas, and fireworks. Many festivals are temple-related and follow the Malayalam calendar, creating a year-round cycle of celebrations that are an integral part of Kerala’s cultural identity. The festival reflects the unique syncretic traditions of Kerala where communities of all faiths participate in each other’s celebrations.

Frequently asked questions

When does this festival take place? — Most Kerala festivals follow the Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). Dates vary annually — check the Kerala Tourism website or local sources for exact dates for your travel period. Is the festival free to attend? — Yes, all processions and public events are free. Special seating areas for fireworks or cultural programmes may have ticketed entry. How crowded is it? — Very crowded during major festivals. Large events like Thrissur Pooram attract hundreds of thousands of people. Arrive early, keep belongings secure, and establish meeting points. What should I wear? — Comfortable clothing suitable for standing in crowds. Modest dress is appreciated. Wear comfortable shoes.