PALAKKAD: The ceremony heralding the beginning of the Puthur Vela festival at the Thirupurackal Bhagavathy temple began here on Friday.
Special poojas under the leadership of Thantri Andaladan Narayanan Namboodiripad were held. The ‘kurayidal’ ceremony was held at 12.30 pm. From March 20 to April 10 there will be Lalitha Sahasranamavali Japayagnam.
The cultural programmes will begin from March 29 with a concert by Pandit Briju Maharaj and a Mohiniyattom by Gopika Varma. Paavakoothu, patakam, aksharasloka sadas, ottanthullal, chakiarkoothu, kathakali and koodiyattom will also be held.
There will be a devotional music concert by K S Chithra on March 30.