KONGANPPADA

Celebrated In : Palakkad, Kerala Centre of Activity : Bhagwathy Temple, Chittoor. To Commemorate : Victory of the Chittoor Nairs over the Militia of Kongandu Main Ritual : Firing of the 101 iron pipe crackers.

Konganpada is a festival combining religious beliefs with history, celebrated at the Bhagavathy temple at Chittoor, 11 kms from Palakkad town.

The festival celebrates the historic victory of the Chittoor Nairs over the Militia of Konganadu. The 3rd day features 101 rounds of the ceremonial firing of ironpipe crackers (Kathina Vedi).

Later, the Kolam is staged, with little boys dressed as girls and taken out in a procession on the shoulders of men. At night, men engage in mock fights, wearing buffalo head masks symbolising the dead buffaloes of the Kongan kings.