The Kannambra - Rishinarada Mangalam Vela, held at the Sree Kurumba Temple in Palakkad, is a captivating visual spectacle and the grand finale of the summer festivals in the Palakkad-Thrissur region. Often referred to as 'Chakka Vela,' this festival is intimately linked to a story about the harvest of jackfruits and mangoes.

During the festival, two competing groups, the Kannambra Desam and Rishinarada Mangalam Desam (desam means region), lead the festivities. A significant highlight of the festival is the grand elephant pageantry, which includes a colorful procession known as Vaalum Chilambum Ezhunnallathu, starting from the Sree Kurumba Temple and culminating at Rishinarada Mangalam Mannam, symbolizing the arrival of the Goddess. The Eedu Vedi, a midday fireworks display, is another major attraction.

The festival, comparable in grandeur to the legendary Thrissur Pooram, is celebrated with great fervor. It officially begins on Vishu day with the Kooranattal ceremony, where flags are hoisted at the Sree Kurumba Temple and Rishinarada Mangalam Mannam, signaling the start of the Vela. From the evening of Vishu, children from the local areas engage in the Kummatti ritual, dancing and chanting about the Goddess with neem tree leaves and fire sticks, leading up to the main Kummatti fest on the 40th day, which features spectacular fireworks and other significant events.

On the day of Vela, numerous rituals are performed, including the Vaalum Chilambum Ezhunnallathu procession. This procession sees two groups—one starting from Rishinarada Mangalam Mannam and the other from Kannambra Viswanatha Swamy Temple—moving towards the Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, accompanied by seven elephants and traditional Kerala orchestras such as Panchavadhyam, Pandi melam, and Desa Vadyam, featuring some of the country's best percussionists. The central elephant carries the Kolam of the Goddess. The parade concludes at the Vela Parambu, a large open field in front of the temple, where the much-anticipated fireworks display begins. The evening sees a repeat of the processions and fireworks, with the festival culminating the next day with an extended fireworks display and the ceremonial return of the Goddess's Kolam to Rishinarada Mangalam Mannam.

Celebrated on a grand scale, the Kannambra Vela is often regarded as a miniature version of the Thrissur Pooram due to its historical significance, rituals, and overall grandeur. The festival not only draws locals but also attracts people from neighboring districts such as Thrissur, Malappuram, and even Tamil Nadu. It serves as an occasion for family reunions, with people from the villages who have settled elsewhere making it a point to attend. The event is a true celebration of community spirit, transcending caste and religious boundaries.