Konganpada
is a festival combining religious beliefs with history, celebrated at the
Bhagavathy temple at Chittoor, 11 kms from Palakkad
town.
The festival celebrates the historic victory of the Chittoor Nairs over
the Militia of Konganadu. The 3rd day features 101 rounds of the
ceremonial firing of ironpipe crackers (Kathina Vedi).
Later, the Kolam is staged, with little boys dressed as girls and taken
out in a procession on the shoulders of men. At night, men engage in mock
fights, wearing buffalo head masks symbolising the dead buffaloes of the
Kongan kings.