Anandapalli Maramadi is an ox race carnival celebrated in Anandapalli, a small village near
Adoor in
Pathanamthitta District of
Kerala. Locally the festival is known by the name Kala Poothu Festival. This carnival is usually held during the harvest season (August- September).
Vast stretches of plowed paddy fields, which are filled with water, are used as the stadium for the race. A pair of oxen managed by three persons is contested at a time through field. Nearly 30 such pairs participate in the race. Thousands of villagers gather around the stadium to cheer the participants. The race starts at noon and continues up to dusk.
