[i20ian]

It was a long awaited weekend drive to my native place Nemmara in palakkad district of Kerala. The occasion was even more special since it was the first week of April and it was the time for the yearly spectacle called Nemmara Vallanghy Vela.

Vela is basically a harvest festival conducted in the summer months of palakkad district. The biggest and the most famous one in this part of the world is conducted at Nemmara. The festival lasts for three days. So I planned to reach there a day before.

The drive started at around 12.30pm from Bangalore. The temperature was soaring around 36 degrees but once I got the AC going it was not a problem. Traffic was less as it was a weekday afternoon. Had a quick stop over at shoolagiri saravana bhavan for lunch. The roads were too good and could maintain a decent speed throughout. Here are a few highway snaps.





After a halt for tea and snacks finally reached destination after 8hrs.

Next day took a short drive up the nelliyampathy hills. The trees were all dried up but never siezed to excite the enthusiast in me.







Distant view of Pothundy dam.
The winding roads were indeed refreshing.

The festival started with the ceremonial procession of elephants. The best elephants are brought for the festival through tender.





Elephants lined up in the pandhal









Colorful umbrellas for kudamattam





The crowd that gathered



The procession is accompanied by the harmony of temple instruments called Panchavadyam and Pandi melam. The best artistes from Kerala line up to provide an audio visual treat.



Evening fireworks are among the most famous in Kerala and crowds throng from all the neighboring districts.







At night, the elephant pandhal gets illuminated with LED lamps that provide a visual spectacle.



Finally after a long weekend full of great fun with family and friends, took the return journey hoping to be here again for the next year.

[rakesh_r]

Many thanks for sharing the pics, made me feel I was actually watching the Vela. I hail from Palakkad (live closer to the town). I always had a soft corner to my native and always felt i must settle down there. Palakkad has it's own charm. Sometimes I just wish i reached my retirement age pretty fast post which i could enjoy the rest of the life peacefully .
PS-My better half hails from Tripallur which is near Alathur.

[i20ian]

Hi rakesh, Nice to see another bhpian from palakkad. Indeed it is every one's dream to settle in the native place. I'm glad that you liked my post. If you want to take a look at fireworks watch this video uploaded by me on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/MjFpx9Fm0p8

[mallumowgli]

Great to see a log on Nemmara Vallangi vela. Have never made it to the main vela - have been lucky to witness the sample fireworks of the penultimate day

[i20ian]

Indeed I've been lucky to witness the nemmara Vela fireworks in all its grandeur. Because of the recent unfortunate firework accident in kollam, there have been rumours of either banning fireworks or making it namesake. Recently learned that it is the most expensive firework in Kerala.

[majumon]

Wow that was quite an eye opener. So well captured. I have heard a lot about the festival, should make it some time . I am quite regular to Thrissur Pooram. I noticed Peruvanam at the melam even in your place, it's mesmerising to listen to his team.