Manappullikavu Vela

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Manapullikavu is a Hindu temple dedicated to Mother Goddess, situated in Palakkad town in Kerala, south India. The temple serves as a spiritual centre in the town. In all such temples, every year, a festival called 'Vela' is conducted, which is believed to be the birthday of the deity.

Manapullikavu Vela is a festival honouring the deity at Manapullikavu called 'Manapulli Bhagavathy'. The festival is celebrated between last week of February and first week of March based on the Malayalam Calendar year. The celebration starts with 'Kodiyettam' (flag hoisting on a bamboo pole) which declares the 'Vela'(Festival) has started. After the Kodiyettam, a week full of pooja ceremonies and evenings with colourful cultural programmes are organized by the 'Vela Committee' (Festival Committee) which all ends with the grand day 'Manapullikavu Vela'. Lots of devotees from various parts of Kerala and other southern states of India come for worshipping Bhagavathy on this auspicious day. The Vela day starts early with poojas to the Bhagavathy continuing with all day poojas. The 'Chaandh Abishekam', one of the important pooja during the day attracts flocks of devotees. 'Vedikettu' (Firework) is also an important attractive element of the festival which is organized in the evening around 9 PM and early morning by 4 AM. The Vela day is declared as Local Holiday which shows the importance of the festival.

Manapullikavu Vela consists small velas from other desams. Velas from West Yakkara, Vadakkanthara, Vennakkara, Koppam are some of them. These small velas come together to make the final show. Plenty of chariots (bull carts and other motorised vehicles) take part in Manapullykavu Vela.

Famous Annual Vela Festival of Sree Manapully Bhagavathy Temple, East Yakkara is being celebrated on a large scale from 15-05-2005 to 28-02-2008.

The festival begins from 15-02-2008 Friday with Mahaganapathy Homam at 5.00a.m. and Kodiyettam at 6.30p.m. on the same day.

Annadanam being the main offering to the deity, will be conducted on 28-02-2008 Thursday attracts a large crowd of devotees. The function is being conducted by receiving offerings from the public by way of Cash and Kind. Fabulous Cu,tura Programmes, Temple Arts and other Musical concerts are to be staged on all eveings from 15-02-2008 to 28-02-2008.

Manpullikavu temple is near Yakkara Village, which was the origin of this temple. The name yakkara has derived from two words in malayalam- "YAGAM" & "KARA". These two words combine to form the name "Yagakkara" which changed into Yakkara in due course of time.

               --:::### Ohm Sri Manapulli Bhagavathyaya Namaha ###:::--