Konganpada is a major festival held at
Chittur Bhagavathy Temple in
Chittur of
Kerala. It is about 15 km south-east of
Palakkad.
This grand festival is of much historical significance as it commemorates the victory of Nairs of Chittur over the militia of Konganadu (Coimbatore) led by the Chola King Rajadhi Raja in AD 918. This annual festival is celebrated on the first Monday after the dark lunar night in Kumbham (February-March).
The celebrations commences with the chilambu, which recalls Konganpada’s declaration of the war and a perturbed Chittur people thronging the Goddess Bhagavathy pleading to save them from the ordeal. This is followed by the flag hoisting ceremony indicating their readiness for the war on the next morning. In the evening, people gather together near the temple and after three popgun shots they march as a procession to a place supposed to be the battleground. This is called ‘Arippathattu’. The velichapadu (oracle) goes in front while the people full of exultation follow him with torches held aloft.
At midnight, the procession returns from the battleground and resumes on the next day from a nearby Vettakkorumakan Kavu. During this procession girls parade in men’s wear (kolam). Cultural programs are also staged in the pageant. In the evening, the procession encircles the temple and a messenger from Konganpada reads scroll declaring the war (Olavayana). By night the symbolic war starts and the rival groups run the horses to and fro to recreate a battlefield. When the Kongan team retreats, the festival comes to an end with an hour-long percussion.
