Tattamangalam Kuthiravela (Horse Race)

Still popular even after a century, the horse race conducted in Tattamangalam village of Palakkad, is widely known as the ‘Tattamangalam Kuthiravela’or ‘Angadi vela’. The festival is usually conducted on the Saturday which follows the Vishu in Mid April. During the festival grand horse races are conducted in the village attracting thousands from far and wide. The communities associated with the festival are Telungu Chettiyars, Tamil Chettiyars, Pillais, Gurukkal or Konar groups and the royals.

Once in every two years, around 600 families gather the horses from neighbouring states or riding clubs, as an offering to the temple. The race which is held in high spirits starts from the Vinayaka Temple near Chemamkulam and extends to Vettakaruppu Swamy. The best horses in the country which includes native breeds as well as racing horses, participate in the event.

The race is conducted on the seventh day of the 15 days long festival. Around 120 horses participated in the race this year. The event usually begins with a ritual where the leader from a Muslim community (Mooppan family) lights the torch, as a gesture highlighting the religious harmony of Kerala.

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