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Vazhalikkavu Bhagavathy Temple – Vela festival

Vazhalikkavu Bhagavathy temple is located at Vazhalikavu near Painkulam in Thrissur district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The annual Vela festival in the temple is held in Kumbha Masam. The Vela festival is held on the seventh day after kodiyettam.

There are two deities worshipped in the temple north facing Vazhalikkavu Bhagavathy and west facing Nava Kurumba Kavu Bhagavathy. Both the deities have a chathura sreekovil and kodimaram or flag pole.

Vazhalikavu Bhagavathy temple is located in a scenic location one side Bharathapuzha, another side is covered by coconut trees and the third side by paddy fields. A very old Kootharangu is near the shrine and stands amidst paddy fields.

The annual festival is famous for caparisoned elephants, floats, tableau, Kerala temple performing arts, various types of melam including panchavadyam. Tholpavakoothu is performed here during the annual festival.

The annual Vela festival falls on the Aswathy nakshatra day in Kumbha Masam.

The annual Prathishta dinam is held on Revati nakshatra day in Meena Masam (March – April).

Darika Vadham pattu is held on all days as part of offering.

The shrine also observes Thrikarthika in Vrischika Masam, Mandala Makaravilakku, Kalam pattu is held on all days of Mandalakalam and Ramayana Masam.

The annual Prathishta festival is held in Meena Masam.