Palappuram - Chinakkathur Pooram

Harvest season is over. Once again the granaries of the peasants have shown bountifulness. In the mind of the country-folk who savour traditional communion, it's time for a jubilation. Vela is the name they have given for this social recreation which falls on in the later half of the month of March every year. Among a hand-full of Velas, Chinakkathur pooram takes the lion's share of the rejoicement.

Chinakkathoor kavu is situated in Palappuram(Valluvanadu) which is at a distance of 5kms east of Ottappalam in the Palghat district. The temple is famous for 'pooram', a name given for the festivities in Malabar region, more renowned as Chinakkathoor pooram, esteemed high by every nook and cranny of God's own country. The festival is conducted in the month of Kumbham on Makom day every year.

Amidst of thousands of witnessing devotees, a flag is hoisted as the sign of the commencement of Pooram sacrament. From this day to the eve of the Pooram, Tholppavakkoothu, a ritualistic shadow puppet show, is presented at the temple premises every evening. The highlights of the Pooram includes a grand procession of 33 tuskers in the evening, and pulsating Panchavadyam classically orchestrated by leading percussionists and various other folk art-forms like Vellattu, Theyyam, Poothavum Thirayum, Kaalavela(Mounting enormous artificially-made decorated bulls) , Kuthiravela(Raising artificial horses), Karivela, and so on. Another beautiful sight is the procession of sixteen models of the ‘Kuthiras’ (Horses) brought ceremoniously to the temple by devotees of seven deshams (Regions).

The temple is devoted to Sree Durga who showers wealth, knowledge and peace to all her devotees and rescues the villagers from all adversities.