‘Machad Mamankam’ also known as ‘Machad Kuthira Vela’, one of the major festivals of Valluvanad, was celebrated at Thiruvanikkavu Temple at Wadakkancherry on Tuesday with traditional pomp and gaiety.
Processions carrying huge models of horses (poikkuthirakal) made up of bamboo and hay embellished with colourful silky clothes and ornaments were taken out by various desams (local areas) in a charged atmosphere.
Thousands of devotees gathered on the temple premises to witness one of the oldest festivals in Central Kerala.
Each participant desam came to the temple to attend the pooram with their ‘poikkuthirakal carried by the youths after the ceremonial ‘kumbhakkudam’ and customary fireworks at noon.