Nemmara

Nemmara is a predominantly rural village in the Palakkad district of the state of Kerala in India.It is situated on the Trissur Pollachi route. From here, one can go to Tamil Nadu via Kollengode and Govindapuram to reach the town of Pollachi. The district headquarters is 30 km away. Nemmara is the entry point to Nelliampathi, which is situated 30 km away. Pothundi Dam is 9 km from Nemmara on the way to Nelliampathi.Ayalur is a village near Nemmara which is well known for Temples and festivals like "AYALUR VELA" and "RADHOLSAVAM".Ariyakode is yet another beautiful village in Nemmara which is blessed with scenic paddy fields and huge rocks.This place has been a major location for many cine shooting too. Nemmara and Vallangi form the two parts of this village.Nemmara, a small village in the Palakkad District of Kerala state, southern India is known far and wide for its 'Vela' festival known as Nemmara-Vallangi Vela.The Vela is a festival celebrated in the villages of the Palakkad and Thrissur (especially in Talappilly Taluk) districts in summer, after the harvest. The prominent crop in this area is rice. After the harvest, the fields are empty and dry, and this is the time for the Vela. The Nemmara Vela is celebrated on a grand scale, equalling the famous 'Trissur Pooram'. The festival is believed to be the birthday of the presiding deity of the village temple or the memory of a major event like the killing of a demon by the goddess.

The Vela is a festival celebrated in the villages of the Palakkad and Thrissur (especially in Talappilly Taluk) districts in summer, after the harvest. The prominent crop in this area is rice. After the harvest, the fields are empty and dry, and this is the time for the Vela. The Nemmara Vela is celebrated on a grand scale, equalling the famous 'Trissur Pooram'. The festival is believed to be the birthday of the presiding deity of the village temple or the memory of a major event like the killing of a demon by the goddess.
The Vela falls on the 20th day of 'Meenam', the month in the Malayalam era (2nd or 3rd of April). Two competing groups, Nemmara and Vallangi, have their own temples plus a common temple, the Nellikkulangara, where the two groups can mingle. The festivities start ten days earlier than the actual day of Vela, with the hoisting of a flag (Kodiyettam), in the respective temples. Natives are not supposed to leave the village once the flags have been raised.

The Nellikkulangara temple

The Nemmara group starts its Vela from the Mandam or Vela Mandam and the Vallangi from the Siva temple. There are 11 to 15 elephants for each of the two groups. These elephants are decorated and to the accompaniment of percussion instruments, are paraded through the main thoroughfares of the town. In the evening, these groups reach the Nellikulangara temple. There is an area of empty fields here, enough to accommodate a large crowd.

The festival attracts a lot of people not only from nearby, but also from the neighbouring districts of Trissur, Malappuram and from Tamil Nadu. The Vela is also an occasion for family reunions. People of the villages settled elsewhere, make it a point to attend the festival. People celebrate this event as a whole without any discrimination of caste/religion.Some foreign tourists are also usually seen. Many TV channels broadcast the festival live.
Another attraction of the festival is the Aana Pandal which is an arch-like structure, where the caparisoned elephants remain for some time. The 'Pandal', fully decorated with coloured electric lamps, give out different light patterns when switched on. Both groups keep the design of the illuminations a secret. The switching on of the 'Pandal' on the previous day of the festival is a grand occasion for the local people.
The finale of the festival is the fireworks display. It is a magnificent show, with both sides vying to get the upper hand. New techniques are tried every year to bring out the best performance. The quality and quantity of the fireworks are discussed by the people for many days after the event.

Nearest Airport: Kochi or Coimbatore Nearest railway station: Palakkad or Trichur or Kollengode. From Kochi Airport: travel to Trichur - 30 km, take a taxi to Nemmara or by bus from Trichur bus stand to Nemmara - 48 km.

From Coimbatore Airport : By Taxi or bus to Palakkad - 60 km.

From Palakkad: By taxi or bus to Nemmara, 28 km.

Nelliyampathy

Nelliyampathy palaghat

Nelliyampathy is 75 km from city of Palakkad in Kerala and shares its border between the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The highest point of Nelliyampathy is the Palagapandi Estate which contains a bungalow of British period, that has now been converted to a resort. Even the estate is covered with plantations of tea, cardamon, coffee and one can also be fortunate to sight a lot of wildlife here. The hills of Nelliyampathy also ofer a good view of Sholayar Pass. 

From the town of Nenmara in Palakkad district, the cloud-caressed peaks of the majestic Nelliyampathy hill ranges are a sight to behold. The height of the hills ranges from 467 m to 1572 m. To reach Nelliyampathy, one has to take the road starting from Nenmara that proceeds to the Pothundy Dam. There are about 10 hairpin bends that have to be negotiated on the way to Nelliyampathy.

The Pothundy Dam is a picturesque locale with facilities for boating and is a nice option as a picnic place. As the Ghat road winds its way up to Nelliyampathy, at certain places there are viewpoints from where the vast stretches of Palakkad district are visible with its extensive paddy fields forming a verdant carpet. It also offers a splendid view of the Palakkad Gap, which is a geographical phenomenon in the Western Ghats formation in this region, bringing into view, parts of the adjoining State of Tamilnadu.

On the way up, those interested in bio farming can take a close look at the privately managed farms and also vast expanses of tea estates managed by different plantation companies. The hills of Nelliyampathy are also well known for its orange   cultivation.

Privately owned hotels and resorts are located at various points, as one goes up the hills of Nelliyampathy. The bio-farms located here are a major landmark as one proceeds up before reaching the topmost point at Palagapandi estate. The estate has a quaint bungalow, built during the period of the British rule in India, and has now been converted into a private owned resort. At Kaikatty, a community hall is available, which is usually used as a base by those interested in trekking.

Not far away from Palagapandy is Seetharkundu where one can have a fantastic valley view, and a 100 m high waterfall providing an added attraction. From Palagapandy, one can trek or go by jeep to reach Mampara; another breathtaking vantage point at Nelliyampathy. The area in and around Palagapandy estate has tea, cardamom and coffee plantations with adjoining hills allowing one to catch a glimpse of the wildlife in the form of Indian gaur, elephants, leopards, giant squirrel etc. and is also a paradise for birdwatchers.

Nelliyampathy is a beautiful hill station in the state of Kerala, located near the town of Palakkad. This tourist hill station is located close to the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.  The region comprises of Nelliyampathy hills and mountains, which form a part of the majestic Sahyadri ranges in the Western Ghats, with gorgeous valleys interrupting its flow. Historians believe that a rich civilization was present in Nelliyampathy during the Tamil Sangam period.

The way up the Nelliyampathy is a steep climb with a series of hair pin bends and passes through a number of privately managed farms and tea estates. Nelliyampathy is thus a good destination for eco tourism and farm tourism, where one may be enlightened to farm management activity. On the way to Nelliyampath one also passes the popular picnic locale of this region, Porthundy Dam, where one can also enjoy boating. One can also catch a glimpse of the Palakkad Gap, a unique geographical formation.

The Nellikota mountain ranges are the highest in this region and rise up to an altitude of 1572 m. Padagiri is the highest peak situated in the Nellikota ranges. Vellachimudi, Mayanmudi, Valiyavana and Vela Vanchan are some of the other important peaks of the Nelliyampathy mountain range.  The Nelliyampathy range is a chain of ridge covered with green forests and valleys. Sprawling over the ranges are also plantations of tea, coffee, cardamom and mainly orange. The misty mountains, the breath-taking valleys and intense greenery offer a feast for the eyes. 

Seethakundu is a famous tourist spot which gives a fantastic view of the valley and where one can enjoy under a 100 meters high waterfall. Other places to visit near Nelliyampathy are Malampuzha Gardens, Raja's Cliff, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and Koothampully. It is worth visiting Koothampully for its tectiles of the local handloom and woven weavers community of this village. Their textiles were very famous with the royalty of Mysore.  

 

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Palakkad, about 52 km from Nelliyampathy.
Nearest airport: Coimbatore, about 55 km from Palakkad.