Velakali

An elaborate and spectacular martial folk art, this ritual art form is usually presented within the temple premises. It is called Thirumumbil vela when performed before the deity and Kulathilvela when performed near the temple pond.

Fifty or more performers in the traditional attire of soldiers, bearing colourful shields and swords or long canes, dance with war like steps in perfect orchestration to the rhythms of percussion instruments like the thakil, suddha maddalam, elathalam, kuzhal and trumpets. A few fighting techniques of Kalaripayattu are also displayed during the performance.