Kerala Festivals
Kerala, blessed abundantly with the gifts of Nature, verdant lands, gliding rivers, scintillating waterfalls, coconut trees and lots of festivals to celebrate, bringing joy and happiness. Weaving the communities, people and families together into a common fabric.
Onam
Onam, the principal festival of Kerala, is celebrated against a setting of lush green vegetation. This picturesque harvest festival brings ten days of colour feasting, boat races, song and dance to the state. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee. Onam is related with King Mahabali who was ruling kerala in a time. He was an Asura king but was very nice and trueful. During his ruling time it is said that people don't even lock their house in the night because , there was no thieves,no corruption,no betrayal. And all people lived unitedly, without the difference of rich and poor. All where facing a good time. Like wise the king was so good that he will give anything to anyone. At that time the Hindu lord Mahavishnu decided to test King Mahabali. He came to earth as vamana a poor dwarf, and went straight to King Mahabali. He told the King that he has nothing and he want three feet of land to live. The king hearing this laughed and told Vamana to take three feet of land from where ever he wishes. Suddenly Vamana began to grow and he covered the whole earth by one foot and covered the sky with other foot. And asked Mahabali where is the space for the third foot. By seeing all these, the king understood that Vamana is not an ordinary person, and Vamana has come to test him so the king without hesitating showed his head to keep the third foot. Vamana kept his third foot on the King's head and the King was pushed down under the earth (pathala). The king after going to Pathala asked Vamana his true identity, Suddenly Vamana vanished and Lord Mahavishnu stood before Mahabali. Mahabali was overjoyed by seeing this. The lord told Mahabali that he wanted to test Mahabali and he has won in that. The lord also asked Mahabali to ask any boon for himself. Mahabali told the lord that, he loved his people very much so he wanted permission to visit Kerala once in a year. And the lord gave permission for that. It is that day ie. the day Mahabali visits kerala is celebrated as Onam.
Boat FestivalsOn the great waterways of Kerala, fierce Vallom Kallies (boat races) and water carnivals erupt every year in a dramatic spectacle and hold tens of thousands of people spell-bound, cheering the action, laying bets, goading the boatmen to row faster. The water carnivals and snake boat races herald the week of the great harvest festival of Onam. It is Kerala's most important celebration and in scores of villages spread across central Kerala, competitive races featuring the smaller churulans, oadis, and irrutukuthies provide expression to the spirit of an intrepid, athletic people, born and bread near water. Know More about Boat Festivals
Thrissur PooramThrissur Pooram, the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May). The inaugural Pooram of the third Millennium is to be celebrated on 23rd and 24th of April this year. Spectacular pageant of fully caparisoned elephants, sonorous percussion, quintet like Panchavadyam and Pandimelom and grandiloquent fireworks give you innumerable moments to cherish. The splendour of this magnum feast can never be forgotten. Come down to Thrissur and enjoy this cultural fiesta. Snap up the fabulous Divine Durbar and the fascinating "changing of parasols" (Kudamattom). Or join the rasping crowds to cheer-on the panchavadyam and drum concert troops or count the stars that are contrived when the fireworks floweret in the night sky.
The Sabarimala Temple festivalThe Sabarimala Temple festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Ayyapa who is revered by all in India. Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayappa. The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January. There are two main rituals called the Mandal Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which is celebrated from November to mid-January in Kerala during which time, the devotees perform austerities and penance.
Pongala UtsavamThe renowned Pongala Utsavam at Attukal Bhagawathy Temple near Thiruvananthapuram will begin on March 6th. Only women devotees are allowed to this festival. Preparation of 'pongala' by thousands of women devotees in the temple courtyard is the key attraction of the festival. As usual this year too elaborate arrangements have been made by the temple authorities for the smooth conduct of the 'pongala'. The much revered festival is observed by preparing 'pongala' in new earthern pots in the vicinity of the temple. Every year several thousands of women devotees from across the state and even from the neighbouring Tamil Nadu participate in the 'pongala' festival popularly known as Attukal Pongala.
ChristmasWith a large number of Christian population in Kerala, Christmas is a festival that is celebrated with much vigour and enthusiasm in the state. Easter is also an important festival in the state. The numerous churches that are spread across the state brighten up around this time.
Edatva PerunnalSituated on the banks of the Pamba river, this massive shrine at Edathua- 23 kms south-east of Alappuzha, resembles the churches of medieval Europe. The annual feast here starts on the 27th of April with the hoisting of the flag and concludes on the 7th of May. During the feast, the statue of St. George, decked in gold regalia, is carried out and placed on the dais in the centre of the basilica. All the prayers and related rituals are conducted here during these days. Devotees from all parts of the state attend the festival.
Makam Thozhal in Chottanikkara Bhagawathy templeThe much popular and revered 'Makam Thozhal' ritual at the Chottanikkara Bhagawathy temple on the outskirts of Ernakulam district will be held on 6th March. Every year several thousands of women devotees from in and around Ernakulam district arrive in Chottanikkara to participate in the Makam Thozhal ritual. It is generally believed that on receiving the 'darsan' of the Bhagawathy on the auspicious day of Makam which is a month as per the Malayalam calendar will bring prosperity to the devotees and also one can accomplish one's long cherished wishes. This year too extensive preparations are being carried well in advance by the temple authorities to accommodate all the women devotees who arrive to participate in the Makam Thozhal.
Ezharapponnana darshanDevotees turned up from other places also to witness the legendary 'Ezharaponnana' ceremony in Ettumanur temple. Tusker Guruvayur Padmanabhan carried the holy 'thidambu'. Nagaswaram by Thiruvizha Jayasankar and Panchavadyam led by Annamanada Parameswara Marar made the ceremonies exciting. Kalamandalam Prabhakaran was at his usal best in Ottamthullal. The legendary 'Pallivetta' was held this year too.
Onam
Onam, the principal festival of Kerala, is celebrated against a setting of lush green vegetation. This picturesque harvest festival brings ten days of colour feasting, boat races, song and dance to the state. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee. Onam is related with King Mahabali who was ruling kerala in a time. He was an Asura king but was very nice and trueful. During his ruling time it is said that people don't even lock their house in the night because , there was no thieves,no corruption,no betrayal. And all people lived unitedly, without the difference of rich and poor. All where facing a good time. Like wise the king was so good that he will give anything to anyone. At that time the Hindu lord Mahavishnu decided to test King Mahabali. He came to earth as vamana a poor dwarf, and went straight to King Mahabali. He told the King that he has nothing and he want three feet of land to live. The king hearing this laughed and told Vamana to take three feet of land from where ever he wishes. Suddenly Vamana began to grow and he covered the whole earth by one foot and covered the sky with other foot. And asked Mahabali where is the space for the third foot. By seeing all these, the king understood that Vamana is not an ordinary person, and Vamana has come to test him so the king without hesitating showed his head to keep the third foot. Vamana kept his third foot on the King's head and the King was pushed down under the earth (pathala). The king after going to Pathala asked Vamana his true identity, Suddenly Vamana vanished and Lord Mahavishnu stood before Mahabali. Mahabali was overjoyed by seeing this. The lord told Mahabali that he wanted to test Mahabali and he has won in that. The lord also asked Mahabali to ask any boon for himself. Mahabali told the lord that, he loved his people very much so he wanted permission to visit Kerala once in a year. And the lord gave permission for that. It is that day ie. the day Mahabali visits kerala is celebrated as Onam. Boat FestivalsOn the great waterways of Kerala, fierce Vallom Kallies (boat races) and water carnivals erupt every year in a dramatic spectacle and hold tens of thousands of people spell-bound, cheering the action, laying bets, goading the boatmen to row faster. The water carnivals and snake boat races herald the week of the great harvest festival of Onam. It is Kerala's most important celebration and in scores of villages spread across central Kerala, competitive races featuring the smaller churulans, oadis, and irrutukuthies provide expression to the spirit of an intrepid, athletic people, born and bread near water. Know More about Boat Festivals
Thrissur PooramThrissur Pooram, the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May). The inaugural Pooram of the third Millennium is to be celebrated on 23rd and 24th of April this year. Spectacular pageant of fully caparisoned elephants, sonorous percussion, quintet like Panchavadyam and Pandimelom and grandiloquent fireworks give you innumerable moments to cherish. The splendour of this magnum feast can never be forgotten. Come down to Thrissur and enjoy this cultural fiesta. Snap up the fabulous Divine Durbar and the fascinating "changing of parasols" (Kudamattom). Or join the rasping crowds to cheer-on the panchavadyam and drum concert troops or count the stars that are contrived when the fireworks floweret in the night sky.
The Sabarimala Temple festivalThe Sabarimala Temple festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Ayyapa who is revered by all in India. Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim centre atop the rugged hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayappa. The main pilgrimage is undertaken between November and January. There are two main rituals called the Mandal Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which is celebrated from November to mid-January in Kerala during which time, the devotees perform austerities and penance.
Pongala UtsavamThe renowned Pongala Utsavam at Attukal Bhagawathy Temple near Thiruvananthapuram will begin on March 6th. Only women devotees are allowed to this festival. Preparation of 'pongala' by thousands of women devotees in the temple courtyard is the key attraction of the festival. As usual this year too elaborate arrangements have been made by the temple authorities for the smooth conduct of the 'pongala'. The much revered festival is observed by preparing 'pongala' in new earthern pots in the vicinity of the temple. Every year several thousands of women devotees from across the state and even from the neighbouring Tamil Nadu participate in the 'pongala' festival popularly known as Attukal Pongala.
ChristmasWith a large number of Christian population in Kerala, Christmas is a festival that is celebrated with much vigour and enthusiasm in the state. Easter is also an important festival in the state. The numerous churches that are spread across the state brighten up around this time.
Edatva PerunnalSituated on the banks of the Pamba river, this massive shrine at Edathua- 23 kms south-east of Alappuzha, resembles the churches of medieval Europe. The annual feast here starts on the 27th of April with the hoisting of the flag and concludes on the 7th of May. During the feast, the statue of St. George, decked in gold regalia, is carried out and placed on the dais in the centre of the basilica. All the prayers and related rituals are conducted here during these days. Devotees from all parts of the state attend the festival.
Makam Thozhal in Chottanikkara Bhagawathy templeThe much popular and revered 'Makam Thozhal' ritual at the Chottanikkara Bhagawathy temple on the outskirts of Ernakulam district will be held on 6th March. Every year several thousands of women devotees from in and around Ernakulam district arrive in Chottanikkara to participate in the Makam Thozhal ritual. It is generally believed that on receiving the 'darsan' of the Bhagawathy on the auspicious day of Makam which is a month as per the Malayalam calendar will bring prosperity to the devotees and also one can accomplish one's long cherished wishes. This year too extensive preparations are being carried well in advance by the temple authorities to accommodate all the women devotees who arrive to participate in the Makam Thozhal.
Ezharapponnana darshanDevotees turned up from other places also to witness the legendary 'Ezharaponnana' ceremony in Ettumanur temple. Tusker Guruvayur Padmanabhan carried the holy 'thidambu'. Nagaswaram by Thiruvizha Jayasankar and Panchavadyam led by Annamanada Parameswara Marar made the ceremonies exciting. Kalamandalam Prabhakaran was at his usal best in Ottamthullal. The legendary 'Pallivetta' was held this year too.
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