Nellikkulangara Vela :Vallanghi and Nemmara vela

In the Vallanghi village of Chittur taluk, there is a beautiful temple dedicated to goddess Bhagavathi. The deity of this temple is called Nellikulangara Bhagavathi. To invoke the blessings of the Goddess, the people of Vallanghi and Nemmara conduct a festival in 20th Meenam (March-April) every year. This is the famous Vallanghi Vela. One of the attractions of this festival is the grand procession carrying the image of Bhagavathi on the back of a richly decked elephant and the local inhabitants with the accompaniments of Panchavadyam et. During the night, there will be a grand display of pyrotechnics. The vela is conducted by the villagers in a spirit of healthy competition. Divided themselves into two groups, the residents of enthusiasm, each group trying to excel the other in the pomp and pageantry of the vela go up year by year, the crowds of devotees attending the festivities also grew bigger and bigger.

The flag-hoisting ceremony in connection with the vela is held jointly by the residents of Vallanghi and Nenmara on the 9th Meenam. On all days following the flag-hoisting till the eve of the vela, kummatti, karivela, Andivela and similar other folk rituals are performed. These three ceremonies together are known as Kanyar. Judging from the pomp and splendour of the festival, one is prone to think that the Vallanghi vela is second to none in Kerala after the Pooram festival of Thrissur..