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Aaranmula Boat Race
The Aaranmula Boat
Race is staged each
year in the scenic
village of Aaranmula
in August/
September. This
river carnival is
part of the
Aaranmula Temple
festival. Masses
throng the shores of
the River Pamba to
watch an imposing
cluster of snake
boats called 'Palliyodams'.
Each boat, nearly
100 feet long, is a
remarkable feat of
craftsmanship, with
the stem curved to
resemble the hood of
a snake and a
tampering bow.
Festooned with silk
and gold spangled
umbrellas, the boats
are manned by a crew
of more than 100
men. |
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Cochin Carnival
Cochin Carnival is a
merry making feast
observed during the
last week of every
year in Fort Kochi
in Kerala. The
carnival dates back
to the Portuguese
New Year revelry
held here during the
colonial days.
It has evolved as an
occasion for the
youth to enjoy the
party-like
atmosphere. With
unique games,
competitions and
illumination during
these days, Fort
Kochi puts on a
festive look. The
highlight of the
Carnival is the
massive procession
on the New Year Day.
The procession is
led by a caparisoned
elephant accompanied
by drums and music,
spectacular floats,
different folk art
forms, Panchavadyam
etc. north indian
dances also figure
in the festivities. |
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Muharram
Muharram is the
opening month of the
Hijra year. The 10th
day of this month
(May) is honoured by
the Muslims of
Kerala. As per
belief, it was on
this day that the
Imam Hussain, the
grandson of Prophet
Mohammed, and his
men were slain at
Karbala.
It is to bemoan the
martyrdom of the
Imam that the
Muslims observe
Muharram. Fasting is
an important ritual
of this day. |
The Harvest
Festival - Onam
Onam, the harvest
festival is the most
popular festival of
Kerala. A festival
that celebrates a
happy blend of myth
and reality, Onam is
part of the cultural
repertoire of every
Malayalee.
It brings back
nostalgic memories,
carried on the wings
of folklore, of a
bygone Utopian era
of prosperity,
equality and
righteousness, under
the golden reign of
Mahabali. Year after
year, for centuries,
the people of
Kerala, irrespective
of caste, creed or
colour, join
together to welcome
back their
vanquished king. The
ten-day Onam
festival falls in
August-September,
coinciding with the
beginning of the
harvest season. |
Sabarimala Festival
The 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. |
Nehru Trophy Boat
Race
Nehru Trophy Boat
Race is the most
famous of the boat
races of Kerala.
This annual regatta
is held on the
Punnamada Backwaters
of Alappuzha
district on the
second Saturday of
August.
The event is a
commemoration of the
visit to this place
by the late Prime
Minister of India,
Jawaharlal Nehru, in
1952.
The spectacular
races features
magnificent snake
boats or 'Chundans'.
The boisterous and
rhythmic boat songs
or Vanchipattu work
the spectators to a
state of frenzy. |
Malabar Mahotsavam
Malabar Mahotsavam
is a cultural
extravaganza that
showcases the
centuries old rich
cultural heritage of
Kerala. The event is
at Mananchira maidan
(ground) in the
heart of Kozhikode
town from 13th to
16th January every
year.
The festival
highlights musical
concerts,
performances of
various classical
dances like
Kathakali,
Mohiniyattom,
Ottanthullal etc and
ritual artforms like
Koothu, Thewam,
Thira etc.
The festival is also
an occasion to
relish the native
cuisines and enjoy
mind blowing
firework displays. |
Swathi Festival
Swathi festival is a
gala event of music
organised by the
Government of Kerala
every year in the
last week of
January.
The venue is the
famous Kuthiramalika
Palace.
Thiruvananthapuram,
where once upon a
time the great
poet-king of
Travancore, Sri
Swathi Thirunal,
composed many of his
verses.
An august gathering
of great maestros
from all over the
country celebrate
Indian classical
music in all its
variety and
grandeur. |
Aarattu
Pallivetta (Royal
Hunt) and Arattu
(Holy Bath) are part
of the rituals of
the festivals of
some of the major
temples of Kerala.
The speciality of
the Arattu at the
Sree Padmanabha
Swamy Temple in
Thiruvananthapuram
is that the head of
the royal family of
erstwhile Travancore
still provides
escort to the
procession of idols.
The two annual
ten-day festivals of
the temple fall in
October- November
and March- April.
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Jagannatha Festival
Jagannatha Festival
is a colourful
eight-day festival,
which is held in the
Malayalam month of
Kumbham (February/
March) at the
Jagannatha Temple at
Madathiparambu, near
Thalassery in Kannur.
The idol of Lord
Siva, the presiding
deity was installed
here by the famous
social reformer and
philosopher, Sree
Narayana Guru on
13th February, 1908.
The seventh day of
the festival is the
most auspicious. The
event highlights
religious
conferences
participated by
eminent scholars and
social reformers,
elephant
processions,
fireworks display
and cultural
programmes. |
Aattachamayam
The festival of
Attachamayam is held
on the Atham day of
the Malayalam month
of Chingam (August/
September), at the
historical town of
Tripunithura, near
Kochi. It is a
celebration of a
legendary victory of
the Raja of Kochi.
Pomp and colour mark
the pageantry, which
is replete with
caparisoned
elephants, varieties
of folk art forms,
floats and musical
ensemble. This
spectacular
procession marks the
beginning of the
Onam Festival. |
Indira Gandhi Boat
Race
Indira Gandhi Boat
Race is a grand fest
on the rolling
backwaters of Kochi.
Conducted in the
last week of
December, it is a
fitting finale to
the Tourism Fair,
which attracts
travellers from all
parts of the globe.
The sixteen majestic
snake boats racing
neck to neck in
gaiety and
competition to the
sky-rending cheers
of the multitudes,
is a unique sight.
The coveted trophy
of the race was
instituted in memory
of Indira Gandhi,
the late Prime
Minister of India. |
Thirunakara Festival
The Thirunakara
Temple situated in
the heart of
Kottayam and
dedicated to Lord
Siva is also famous
for the grandeur of
its traditional
architecture.
The annual festival
of this temple falls
in the months of
March-April, when
folk arts like "Mayilattam'
and 'Velakali' are
presented in the
temple grounds
during the evenings.
The fair, held in
connection with the
festival, features
exhibitions of
industrial and
agricultural
products, besides
the usual fair
ground stalls. |
Vettukadu Perunal
The Madre De Teus
Church, popularly
known as Vettukadu
church, is situated
around 7 kms from
Thiruvananthapuram.
The annual festival
of the church is
celebrated over the
ten days culminating
in the last Sunday
of the laturgical
year. Various
religious rites are
carried out during
the festival days.
On the last
Saturday, the image
of Christ the king
is taken out in a
big colorful
procession. A solemn
High Mass, sermons,
Eucharistic
procession and
benediction mark the
final day. |
Nisha Gandhi Dance
Festival
Every year, from
February 21st to
27th renowned
classical dancers
perform at the
Nisangandhi, an open
air theatre in
Thiruvananthapuram
city.
Classical dances of
almost all the
states of India are
staged during the
festival.
Mohiniyattam
(Kerala), Bharatha
Natyam (Tamil Nadu),
Kutchippudi (Andhra
Pradesh), Odissi (Orissa),
Manipuri (Manipur)
and Kathak (a north
Indian Classical
Dance) are the major
dances performed. |
Oachirakkali
The Oachira Temple
is the venue of the
famous Oachirakkali
(Oachira dance) held
in June, a sort of
ancient
choreographed mock
battle. Unlike other
temples, there is no
shrine or idol at
the oachira temple,
located nearly 32
kms from Kollam.
The principal deity
is a concept called
Parabrahmam (Cosmic
Consciousness). Rows
of men dressed up in
ancient soldier's
constumes wave
wooden swords and
shields and advance
and retreat to the
rhythm of
traditional drums. |
Easter
Easter which falls
in April is a major
religious festival
for the Christians
in Kerala. This
solemn celebration
of the resurrection
of Christ is
undertaken with
religious fervour by
Christians of all
sects. Unlike
Christmas with its
festive mood, Easter
has a ritualistic
sobriet.
The abstinence
period of 50 days
preceding Easter
known as 'Lent', the
Pal Sunday
celebrations, the
Holy Week comprising
Maundy Thursday,
good Friday and
Easter, are all part
of the celebrations. |
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