Machattu Mamangam, celebrating tradition, energy, and ecstasy, concludes

A colourful procession of life-size motif horses (Kuthirakolams) at the Machattu Mamangam, a festival of the Thiruvanikkavu Bhagavathy temple, near Wadakkancherry, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: K.K. Najeeb

Hundreds of people came rushing, bursting through the dry, post-harvest paddy fields, their energy contagious. They carried grand, life-sized motif horses (Kuthirakolams), beautifully adorned with vibrant decorations. The bells tied around the horses’ necks jingled joyously as those carrying them leaped and danced in ecstasy. The air was full of excitement as participants competed to see who could raise their motif horses the highest. Their bodies, soaked in sweat, were painted red with the mud from the parched paddy fields.

Machattu Mamangam, a one-of-a-kind festival where intricately crafted poikuthiras (motif horses) are paraded, took place with great enthusiasm at the Machadu Thiruvanikkavu Bhagavathy temple, near Wadakkancherry, on Tuesday. What makes this festival even more special is that it is one of the few temple festivals in central Kerala where elephants don’t feature in the procession.

The festival’s most striking moment comes on the final day, during the vibrant procession of motif horses carried by the participating villages. Villagers, shouldering massive horses made of bamboo and paddy straw, parade through the streets amid traditional music, cheers, and applause. The horses are draped in colourful silk cloth, adorned with embellishments that add to the spectacle.

Celebrated in the post-harvest paddy fields outside the Thiruvanikkavu Bhagavathy temple, the festival draws crowd from far and wide, including many foreign visitors, all captivated by the lively and energetic atmosphere.

Kuthirakkali

By the afternoon, the horse processions from the five participating villages had reached the temple, where they were welcomed with lively percussion ensembles. But the real highlight of the Machattu Mamangam was the ‘Kuthirakkali’ — a thrilling display of energy and joy. People, caught up in the festive spirit, danced with the beautifully decorated horse effigies, lifting them high into the air. Each group tired to outdo the others in this friendly competition. The mood was electric, further charged by the lively beats of the percussion ensemble led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar. Throughout the festival, a range of cultural performances brought even more excitement.

The Machattu Mamangam is not just a religious event — it is a vibrant expression of local identity, tradition, and togetherness. It has become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural heritage. The festival is organised by five villages (Desams) — Karumathra, Viruppakka, Mangalam, Parlikadu, and Manalithara — all participating in the spirit of friendly competition.

According to legend, the local king once dreamed of holding a festival with live horses to rival the grand Uthralikkavu Pooram’s elephant procession. But due to the scarcity of horses he chose to use artificial horses instead. This decision marked the birth of the wooden motif horses, a tradition that continues to this day.