Briefing on Nenmara

Nellikulangara Temple

The legend of goddess Nellikulangara Bhagavathi is very interesting. This legend is communicated from one generation to the other and is centuries old. The legend is also mentioned in the religious text of the Nellikulangara temple.Here is a brief description of the legend:Once upon a time, a man by the name Kodakara Nair happened to go to Nelliyampathy hills from Nemmara. He got tired after reaching the Nelliyampathy hills and decided to take rest under the shade of a tree. He placed the umbrella that was made out of dry palm leaves next to him. Bhagavathi happened to abode the place where he was resting and attached herself to the umbrella. When Kodakara Nair returned to Nemmara, he did not realize that he was bringing the Bhagavathi to Nemmara.When Kodakara Nair reached Nemmara, he placed the umbrella near a pond (the Kothakulam pond). Later, when he tried to remove the umbrella, to his dismay it did not move. Slowly it dawned upon the people that there is a divine power that has accompanied Kodakara Nair from Nelliyampathy hills and it wishes to stay and bless them.A temple now called the Sree Moolasthanam was built at the place where the umbrella was placed by Kodakara Nair. People started worshipping the Bhagavathi and the Bhagavathi blessed her devotees.Later as the years passed by, the astrologers and other renowned religious people in the area predicted Nellikulangara as a better place for the temple and a place of convenience for the devotees of both Nemmara and Vallenghi to reach. The Cochin Devaswom built a new temple, now known as the famous Nellikulangara Kaavu for the Bhagavathi there.

Nemmara is a small village under Chittur Taluk in the Palakkad district of the state of Kerala, India. It is famous for its festival known as Nemmara Vallangi Vela or simply Nemmara Vela.
Nemmara is a predominantly rural village, under the administration of Nemmara Grama Panchayat. Nemmara and Vallangi form the two parts of this village. Prior to independence, this area was part of the Kochi kingdom. It is situated on the Trissur Pollachi route. From here, one can go to Tamil Nadu via Kollengode and Govindapuram to reach the town of Pollachi. The district headquarter is 30 km away. Nemmara is the entry point to Nelliampathi, which is situated 30 km away. Pothundi Dam is 9 km from Nemmara on the way to Nelliampathi.
The population is mostly Hindus, of castes like Nair, Ezhuthachan, Iyer, Ezhava, Chetty. There are some Muslims and Christians also. The major occupation is agriculture. The crops are paddy, vegetables, ginger and rubber.

History

The two villages of Nemmara and Vallangi were important trade centres in the past. In fact, the name Nemmara is believed to have been originated from the words 'Nai maariya ooru', meaning 'the place where ghee was traded'. It is also believed that the name "Nemmara" or "Nenmara" originated from the words "Nenmaniyude Ara" which means "The Store Room of Rice". The village was originally surrounded by paddy fields (nowadays they are slowly being converted to residential area), the village was affectionately called the storage place of rice for the Chittur Taluk.

Famous festival in Nemmara


A typical fence made of bamboo usually seen in villages of Palakkad district.
Nemmara is known far and wide for its 'Vela' festival, known as Nemmara-Vallangi Vela, a festival celebrated in the villages of the Palakkad district in summer after the rice is harvested. Rice is a common grain crop in this area, but after the harvest, the fields are empty and dry, and serve as an ideal venue for celebrating Vela. Nemmara Vela is celebrated on a grand scale, equalling the famous 'Trissur Pooram'. There are several possible reasons for celebrating Vela at this time--among them are the birthday of the temple deity or the killing of a demon by the goddess.

The Vela falls on the 20th day of 'Meenam', the month in the Malayalam era (2nd or 3rd of April). The two competing groups, Nemmara and Vallangi, have their own temples plus a common temple, Nellikkulangara, where the two groups congregate for this festival. The festivities start ten days prior to the actual holiday of Vela, with the hoisting of flags in the separate temples. Natives are not supposed to leave the village once the flag hoisting is done. All the ten days, there will be some ritual in the night.

Nemmara starts its Vela from the Mannattu Muthi temple and Vallangi from the Siva temple. Each group has 11-15 elephants, which are adorned and paraded through the main thoroughfare to the acompaniment of drums and other percussion instruments. In the evening, these groups reach Nellikulangara temple. There is a vast area of empty fields here, enough to accommodate a large crowd.

The festival attracts people from the immediate area and from the neighbouring districts of Trissur, Malappuram and Tamil Nadu, in addition to foreign tourists. The TV channels telecast the festival live.

The finale of the festival is the display of fireworks. It is a magnificent show, as both sides strive to outdo each other. New techniques are tried every year to bring out the best performance. The quality and quantity of the fireworks are discussed by the people for many days after the event.
Another attraction of the festival is the Aana Pandal, an arch-like structure where the caparisoned elephants remain for some time. This arch is decorated with coloured electric lamps, which give different patterns of light, when switched on. The switching on of the 'Pandal' on the previous day of the festival is a grand occasion for the local people. Both groups keep the design and the illumination of the 'Pandal' a secret.

Sri Nellikkulangara Bhagavathi Temple

The selection of the elephants is another prestigious issue for the organisers. They compete to get the best elephants of Kerala, paying exorbitant sums. Sometimes, they have tried to get the same elephant, resulting in unrealistic biddings.
The Vela is also an occasion for family reunions. People of the village, settled elsewhere and employed in other cities and countries, make it a point to attend the festival.
It is also known as Nellikkulangara Vela. This festival (Vela) is conducted by two villages Nemmara and Vallengi. There is always a healthy competition between these two village, that the Vela conducted by their side should be better than the other.
The festival is famous for its fire works and the processions of richly caparisoned elephants. Nemmara and Vallengi compete to create a more spectacular vela; if Nemmara brings 9 elephants for their vela, Vallengi will bring 11, and so on.
The fireworks is one of the beautiful thing to see, its is said to equalTrichur Pooram (festival).
The main temple of this village is of Sri Nellikulangara Bhagavathi temple where Nemmara Vallengi Vela is celebrated. It is on the 20th of Meenam (in Malayalam era) - this may come on 2nd or 3rd of April. There is also 'Navaneetha Krishna Temple' at old village - famous for the annual 'Ratholsavam' (Car festival).
Sree Anjaneya Mandir (Gangothri Nagar), Nemmara, Palakkad District near Nemmara NSS College, and Palakkad District are visited by devotees from all over the world. The Mandir is situated in a top place between Malabar and Cochin Region. Legend has it that that Sree Rama, Laxmanan, Sita Devi and Hanuman were on their way to Seethargundu in the Nelliampathy Hills and as a result, that place is called the Seethargundu at Padagiri. Special poojas for students are also performed in the Mandir. The Mandir is situated halfway between Trichur and Pollachi on the main road.

Introduction to the Nenmara Vallangi Vela in Kerala

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. The venue for the festival is the Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy Temple at Nenmara in Palakkad district of Kerala. Time for celebrating the Nenmara Vallangi Vela Festival
The middle of the month of April is the time when Nenmara in Palakkad district gets set for the Nenmara Vallangi Vela. The usual date falls
on 13th day of the month of April for the occasion. The spectacle brings in the perfect time to visit the serene environs of the state with a
great climate and an occasion to remember the visit. Description of the Nenmara Vallangi Vela in Kerala
The occasion commences with flag hoisting ceremony to mark the beginning of the festival which is followed by the colorful ceremonies and
precessions. The grandeur of the event is considered only next to Thrissur Pooram. The celebration is a joint incantation of the
Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy by the locals of Nenmara and Vallangi villages. The Kodiyettam or the flag hoisting is conducted on 13th of April
with various folk entertainment and cultural programs to follow. The Nenmara Vallangi Vela festival is the forum to enjoy the numerous folk
arts like Kummatti, Karivela, Andivela and many to mark the following days. The concluding day celebration is marked by the splendor of a ceremony with an array of 30 tuskers paraded on the streets laden with heavy
decorations and a decorated canopy as well. The colorful ceremony is witnessed by thousands from all over Kerala and other states as well.
The conglomeration of two villages to celebrate the occasion too is something striking.
The best way to reach the spot of festival is to take the rail route to reach out to the Palakkad station which lies around 40 kilometers
from the site

How to reach there

Nearest Airport: Kochi International Airport and Coimbatore Airport in Tamil Nadu
Nearest railway station: Palakkad or Trichur
From Kochi Airport: Come to Trichur - 65 km, take a taxi to Nemmara or by bus from Trichur bus stand to Nemmara - 48 km.
From Coimbatore Airport: By taxi or bus to Palakkad - 60 km.
From Palakkad: By taxi or bus to Nemmara - 30 km.

Tourist places near Nemmara
Nelliampathi
Pothundi Dam
Mattupara