Vairankode Vela (Vairankodu Bhagavathy Kshethram)

About this event

Vairankode Vela, officially listed by Kerala Tourism as Theeyyattutsavam, is the annual festival of the Sree Vairankode Bhagavathy Temple at Vairankode in Thirunavaya panchayat, Malappuram district. The six-day festival is held in February and is dedicated to Bhagavathy, worshipped here as Bhadra Kali. Kerala Tourism describes the temple as one of the oldest Bhadrakali temples in Kerala and records a traditional belief that the deity is the sister of Kodungallur Bhagavathy, who crossed the Bharathappuzha and reached Azhvanchery Mana before being installed at Vairankode. The festival is locally associated with the name Theeyattutsavam, reflecting the important fire-related rituals and traditional performances that form part of the celebration. The programme begins with Maram Muri, the ceremonial cutting of an offered jackfruit tree, whose wood is used to prepare the fire for Kanalattam. This is followed by Cheriya Theeyyattu, a celebration involving the nearby villages, while the sixth day features Valiya Theeyyattu, the principal and grandest day of the festival. One of the defining features of Vairankode Vela is the procession of traditional folk forms arriving from surrounding villages. Kerala Tourism specifically identifies Pootha, Thira, Kattalan and Pulikkali among the forms associated with these processions. Large decorated bullock effigies known as Eratta Kala are another distinctive visual feature, with processions carrying these figures forming an important part of the festival. The celebration also includes Kanalattam, a ritual in which devotees walk around or across live embers in the early hours of the morning. A grand procession traditionally arrives from Athavanad, associated with Azhvanchery Thamprakkal, adding another important element to the final celebrations. Fireworks are traditionally held after midnight as part of the festival programme. Rather than being primarily an elephant-centred Pooram, Vairankode Vela is distinguished by its folk processions, giant bullock effigies, fire rituals and Theeyyattu traditions. The festival has strong local significance and brings together participating communities from the surrounding villages. Kerala Tourism officially lists Theeyyattutsavam, Vairankode Bhagavathy Temple, as an annual traditional religious festival held in February, confirming it as an established event in Malappuram's cultural calendar

🚆 Railway: Tirur Railway Station — approximately 9.6 km from Vairankode Bhagavathy Temple.

✈️ Airport: Calicut International Airport — approximately 41.7 km from the temple.

🚌 Bus: Mele Peedika Bus Stop — approximately 300 m from the temple. Mokkile Peedika Junction is approximately 800 m away.

🏨 Stay: Accommodation is available in Tirur and surrounding areas; Kerala Tourism maintains an official directory of accredited hotels, homestays and other accommodation providers in Malappuram district.

✅ Notes: Vairankode Vela/Theeyyattutsavam is a verified annual six-day festival held in February. The principal Valiya Theeyyattu takes place on the sixth day. Large crowds, late-night fireworks and early-morning Kanalattam are part of the traditional programme. Confirm the exact annual dates and programme with Sree Vairankode Bhagavathy Devaswom before visiting.