Kerala is a land of colourful festivals, which have
a long history and tradition behind them. Kerala's innumerable
festivals however stand out because of their uniqueness.
Onam
Onam is the most famous festival of Kerala. All Malayali's
irrespective of religion celebrates it. It falls in
the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). It is the
harvest festival of Kerala. Legend states that Onam
is celebrated as the home coming of Mahabali, the king
who ruled over Kerala in the age of plenty and was
pushed down to the infernal regions (Patala) by Lord
Vishnu in the form of Vamana.
Onam is celebrated as a national festival of Kerala.
It synchronizes with the tourist week celebration, which
starts formally on the day of Atham asterism. The image
of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) is
installed in every Hindu home during the Onam season.
Children go around collecting flowers and decorate them
in the front portion of the house in various designs
and patterns. The most important days of the Onam festival
are Uthradom and Thiruvonam days. On the latter, a grand
feast is held in every home. Onam also provides an occasion
for family get-together among the Keralites. It's a perfect
example for the religious harmony of the state.
Vallamkali or Boat Races
This is a typical keralite festival of boat races.
It is held in August in the Punnamada Kayal, which
commemorates the visit of former Prime Minister,
Late Jawaharlal Nehru to Alleppey. Similar boat races are held also at Aranmual
and Champakulam, which has a religious significance. The later commemorates
an episode involving the idol of Sri Krishna, which was lifted from Kurichi
by the Chempakasseri Raja's men for consecration in the Ambalapuzha. The
idol had to rest in the house of a Syrian Christian
at Chempakulam. Therefore, even
today the flag and coir rope required for the Chempakulam boat race is supplied
from the local Kallurkad Church.
- Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July
- Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August
- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,
- Mannar, Aranmula, and Thiruvandoor near
Vishu
The first month of Malayalam Calendar is Medam (April-May) and the first
day of Medam is celebrated as Vishu, the New Year day. Begin an auspicious
day;
it is a common belief that the fortune of the coming year depends on the
first day. So the first day begins with ceremony of Kani Kanal, which literally
means
first sight. At the dawn, the Malayali's begin the first day of the Year
by waking up in front of Kani. The Kani includes gold ornament, white cloth,
a
measure of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia
fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts, yellow cucumber, and two standing
oil lamps emitting sparkling light their eyes. Another interesting features
of this day are Kaayi neetal where the elder members in the family gift money
to the younger ones.
Mahasivarathri
Hindus celebrate Mahasivarathri, all over the world in
Kumbam (Feb-March). It commemorates the day on which
Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakuda visham)
to save the world from destruction. The offering of
special pooja and abhishekhams, and the presentation
of cultural programmes in all the Shiva temples celebrate
the day. The annual Sivarathri festival held on the
banks of River Periyar at Alwaye, is one of the most
spectacular local festivals of Kerala, which attracts
thousands of pilgrims from all over the state. It has
been compared to the Kumbamela at Prayag.
Navarathri
Literally Navarathri means Nine nights. This festival
is celebrated for Navagraha Naayagi (Nine nymphs).
It is called by different names in different parts
of India. In Karnataka, it is called Dasara, in Bengal
- Kali Pooja and in this state it is known as Saraswathy
Pooja. Saraswathy is known as goddess of Knowledge.
On this day all tools and books are kept for Pooja.
Children who are to begin their schooling are made
to write the first alphabet in rice with their finger.
Asthami Rohini
The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great
importance on this day. It is held in the month of
Chingam (Aug- Sept). Devotees visit the Krishna temples
where special Pooja and cultural programmes are held.
Thrikarthiaka
This festival is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam
(Nov -Dec). Display of light in the evening is a unique
part of the festival.
Thiruvathira
Thiruvathira falls on the month of Dhanu (December-January)
and is a women's festival. It commemorates the death
of Kamadeva, the cupid of Hindu mythology. The aim
of the celebration is conjugal harmony and happiness.
The dance form Thiruvathirkkali is associated with
this celebration.
Pooram Festival - Meenum (March-April)
Sabarimala Festivals - Vrishikam (November-December)
Ashtami at Vaikom - Kumbham (February-March)
Thrissur Pooram - Medam (April-May)
Christmas
All Christians celebrate Christmas as the birthday of
Jesus Christ on 25th Dec. Holy Mass is held in all the
churches in the state. Carol singing, setting up of Christmas
tree in all churches and homes, exchanges of cards and
receiving gifts from Santa Claus are all integral part
of the festivities associated with the birth of Jesus
Christ. There is a feast in every Christian home with
meat as a special item, and the celebrations of Christmas
leave good memories in every heart.
Easter
This is another important festival of Christians, which
commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter
usually falls in March-April, after 40 days lent of
fast and penance. Christians go for mid-night mass,
as a memory of the resurrection of Jesus, 2000 years
ago.
Other Christian Festivals
St.George's Church, Edathwa - 27 April to 7th May
St.Sebastian's Church, Arathungal - 20th January to 31st
January
St George's Church, Aruvithura - 22nd to 24th April
St Thomas Shrine, Malayattur - Last week of March or
first week of April
St Mary's Orthodox Church, Manarcad - Sepember 1st to
9th
Parumala, Mannar
Maramon Convention
Bakrid
The Bakrid commemorates Ibrahim's (Abhraham) offering
of his only son as a sacrifice in obedience to God's
command. The Muslims enjoy hearty feasts on Bakrid day.
The rich may sacrifice a he goat or a bullock and distribute
it among Frieds, relatives and the poor. The famous Haj
is performed after the celebration of Idul Azha.
Idul Fitr
Idul Fitr is celebrated
after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when Muslims
give up all kind of food and drink
during the day and spend the major part of the night
prayer.
Miladi Sharif
Miladi Sharif, celebrated on a large scale in April,
Commemorates the birth of the prophet. This celebration
has acquired its present dimensions only in recent times.
Previously the day was observed by the Muslims by reading
what is commonly known as Maulud which is a short treatise
in Arabic celebrating the birth, life, work and sayings
of the prophet or some saint.
Muharram
Muharram is another festival celebrated by Muslims on
the 10th day of Muharram the forbidden month, which marks
the beginning of the Hijra year.
Chandankudam at Beemapally
The Chandankudam at Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram
is one of the most colourful of Muslim festival in
Kerala. It is said to be the death anniversary of Beema
Beeevi, a devout pilgrim lady who came to Kerala from
Mecca. The festival begins on the 1st of Jamadul Akhar
of the Hijira Era (October) and lasts ten days. Carrying
earthen posts smeared with sandal wood paste and the
mouth of the pot tightly closed with a Jasmine garland
around the edges, thousands of pilgrims go around the
mosque and the hallowed tomb of the devout lady in
procession. Then the earthen
port with money is placed
at the tomb as an offering.
Local Festivals - Jarram Nercha - Thervath
Mosque, Pallanchathanur
- Nercha Festival - Ottapalam Mosque
- Jarram Nercha - Theruvath Mosque
- Malappuram Nercha - Malappuram Mosque
- Kodikuthu Festival - Kanjiramattom Mosque
- Chandanakkudam Festival- Beemapalli, Thiruvananthapuram
- Alleppey (Allaphuzha) - Boat races
- Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July
- Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August
- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,
- Mannar, Aranmula, and Thiruvandoor near
- Chengannur during Onam festival in Septmeber
- Sivagiri Festival at Varkala ,in the month of Decemeber
- St.George's Church festival in Edathwa from 27 April
to 7th May
- St.Sebastian's Churchin, Arathungal from 20th January
to 31st January
Ernakulam (Cochin)
- Utram festival at Tripunithura in the month of February
- Sivarathri Festival at Aluva Manappuram in the
month of February
- Sankaracharaya Jayanthy in the month of May
at Kalady
- St. George Ferona Church Festival at Edappally,
in the month of May
- Ashtami at Vaikom in November
- St Thomas Shrine festival at Malayattur
in March / April
- Kodikuthu Festival at Kanjiramattom
Mosque 25 km from Kochi
Kottayam
- St George's Church festival in Aruvithura in the month
of April
- St Mary's Orthodox Church at Manarcad in the month
of September
Malappuram
- Malappuram Nercha in Malappuram Mosque
Palakkad[Palghat]
- Nercha Festival in Ottapalam Mosque
Patahnamthitta
- Malappuram Nercha in Malappuram
Mosque
- Makara Vilakku Festival at Sabarimala Temple in January
- Pathishtadinam.at Sabarimala in the month of June
- Ochirakali - A festival of martial Arts at Ochira
in June
- Madalam Festival at Sabarimala Temple in November
- Madala Pooja at Sabarimala Temple in December
- Annual Parumala Perunnal at Parumala Church,
11 km from Thiruvalla
- Maramon Convention in
Maramon- Asia's largest Christian gathering,
in the month of February.
Thrissur
- The Elephant march in the month
of January
- Kodiyettu at Guruvayoor in March
- Ashtami Festival & Elephant
races at Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor in March
- Thrissur Pooram at Trissur in April
- Arattupuzha Pooram at Arattupuzha Temple
in the month of April
- Krishna Jayanthi at Guruvayoor in
October
- Ekadasi festival at Guruvayoor
in December
Thiruvananthapuram[Trivandrum]
- The Elephant march in the month
of January
- Onam Tourism week in the month of August -Septembert
- Mahanavami - Dance & Music
Festival in the month of October
- Chandanakkudam Festival in Beemapalli
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