--> Skip to main content


Puthur Thirupuraikkal Bhagavathy Temple – Puthur Vela Festival

Puthur Thirupuraikkal Bhagavathy temple is located at Puthur in Palakkad, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Karnaki – Goddess Bhadrakali. The annual festival in the temple is famous as Puthur Vela and is held in Meena Masam (March – April)

Puthur Vela begins with a Kodiyettam (ceremonial flag hoisting) on the first Friday in the Malayalam month of Meenam (Mid-March to Mid-April). And it ends on the last Friday in the same month with the ritual of Thalappoli. The most interesting and artistic element in Puthur Vela is the Tholpavakoothu (shadow puppetry) performance. Tholpavakoothu Garudapath is famous here. The puppet of Garuda descents to the Koothu Madam from a banyan tree.

The entire temple premises are decorated with lamps during the annual festival. Ezhunellathu, caparisoned elephants, panchavadyam, pandi melam, and traditional performing art forms of Kerala are held here. The festival ends with Valiya Arattu.

Another major highlight of Puthur Vela is the 10-day dance and music festival, known as Puthur Sree Thirupuraikal Music and Dance Festival. Every year renowned dancers and musicians from across the country perform here.

The upa devatas worshipped in the temple include Ganapathy and Vishnu. Shiva is worshipped here as Visalakshi Sametha Shiva. Goddess is offered Kerala style puja by Namboothiris and in the Shiva temple Tamil style puja is performed.

The Moolasthanam of Bhagavathy is at Moothanthara, Melamuri, Palakkad.

Puthur Thirupuraikkal Bhagavathy Temple Timing

Morning darshan timings are from 5:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Evening darshan timings are from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM