Nearest airport
Cochin International Airport
Kerala
Nearest airport
Cochin International Airport
A Majestic Festival at Velur Manimalarkkavu Temple
The Manimalarkkavu Bharani Festival, held annually at the Velur Manimalarkkavu Temple in Thrissur, is a vibrant celebration honoring Goddess Bhagavathy. Taking place each year between February and March, the festival attracts both devotees and cultural enthusiasts from far and wide.
The temple, one of the 18 royal shrines (Pathinettara Kavu) of the Kochi kingdom, is renowned for its unique roofless sanctum sanctorum (vattasreekovil), where Goddess Bhagavathy is enshrined in her divine form.
A significant moment in the temple's history occurred in 1956, when it became the site of the Velur Maaru Marakkal (breast-covering) protest. This quiet yet powerful act of defiance, though met with resistance, ultimately paved the way for women to wear blouses during temple rituals, marking a pivotal moment in Kerala's social history.
Venue
Thrissur
Date
23 February - 24 Feb 2026