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The
colorful mosaic of Kerala
fairs and festivals is as diverse as the land, is an
expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an essential part of
the State. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety, festivals are like gems,
ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition and culture. Round the year
the fests keep Kerala life vibrant and interludes in the mundane affairs
of life. Every season turns up new festivals, each a true celebration
of the bounties of nature. The festivals exhibits an eternal harmony of
spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions to clean
and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to
exchange gifts. New attire, dance, music and ritual, all add to their
joyful rhythm. It is a time for prayer, for pageantry and processions
and time to rejoice. The important fairs and festivals in the state are:
ONAMOnam is the annual harvest festival of kerala. Celebrations are on for ten days, beginning with the atham day of the malayalam month chingam
Highlights
- Floral decorations
- Elephant processions
- Thiruvathirakali
- Classical and folk dance performances
- Classical and folk music recitals
- Cultural pageants
- Water carnivals
THRISSUR POORAM (click here for festival calender of kerala)
This festival held at Thekinkadu Maidan at Thrissur in the month of May.
Highlights
Pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants assembled in the precincts of the
vadakumnathan temple.
The nearby paramekavu and thiruvambadi temples are also participants in
the festival.
Kudamattam (changing of umbralla from hands to hands)
Chendamelain (kind of drums)
Panchavadyam (five typical instruments played)
Spectacular fireworks display
CHAMPAKULAM BOAT RACE (click here for festival calender of kerala)
This is one of the most popular boat races of kerala.
Highlights
Pceremonial water procession.
Spectacular water floats.
Decorated boats.
Vanchipattu (folk song of the oarsmen) The chundanvallom (snake boat,
over 100 feet in length, with a Raised prow similar to the hood of a snake)
race.
NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE (ALLEPEY) (click here for festival calender of kerala)
This is the greatest event on the backwaters of kerala, is held on the second saturday of august every year. Magnificent snakeboats compete for the prized trophy which was instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
Highlights
Ceremonial water procession
Spectacular water floats
Decorated boats
Vanchipattu
Races of smaller country crafts
Chundanvellom race.
RAJIV GANDHI BOAT RACE (ALLEPEY) (click here for festival calender of kerala)
The event is a memorial to the former prime minister.
Highlights
Colourful water procession
Water floats
Boat races
DEEPAVALI (click here for festival calender of kerala)
Another national festival. Deepavali means the festival of lights. There are many legends connected with the festival. Some say that it is a celebration of sree krishna's victory over the demon narakasura; others hold that it is the day sree rama returned from exile.
Highlights
All houses are lit with rows and rows of small earthern oil lamps.
Special devotional rites to lakshmi, The goddess of prosperity.
Entire day of merrymaking and feasting.
Distribution of special deepavali sweets.
Fireworks and crackers.
CHRISTMAS (click here for festival calender of kerala)
Christmas is celebrated with equal enthusiasm by all communities in kerala.
Highlights
Stars decorate houses right from the second week of December.
Christmas trees, decoration and festive music ring through the state.
Midnight mass and special rites at all christian churches.
Social and cultural events.
Fireworks and colourful illuminations.
INDIRA GANDHI BOAT RACE (click here for festival calender of kerala)
Indira gandhi boat race on the cochin backwaters. The race is organised as part of celebration cochin.
Highlights
Over sixteen snake boats participate in this scintillating event, 14 january
2002.
MAKARAVILAKKU (click here for festival calender of kerala)
Makaravilakku at sree dharamasastha temple, sabarimala. This is one of the few occasions when the temple is open to the public.
Highlights
On the evening of makara sankranthi, the makara vilakku/makara jyothi
( the light of kakara) is believed to be seen on the eastern horizon.
Thousands of pilgrims gather here to witness the event.
Special devotional rites
Devotees are decreed to practise severe austerities and total abstinence
for 60 days before climbing the hills to the temple.
MARAMOM CONVENTION (click here for festival calender of kerala)
16 km from thiruvalla, pathanamthitta, on the banks of river pamba in February, every year.
Highlights
Considered the largest gathering of christians in asia.
Bible study and discourses by scholars from india and abroad.
Religious readings
Hymnals Faith healing sessions
People arrive in country crafts (valloms)
ARANMULA VALLAMKALI (click here for festival calender of kerala)
10 km from chengannur. This traditional boat race conducted at sree parthasarathy temple, aranmula in connection with the onam celebrations is more of a water fiesta than a competition.
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Festival Calendar (these dates should be considered only as an approximate calendar and the dates have to be confirmed with the local authorities.) |
| Festivals | 2003 | 2004 |
| Thrissur Pooram Thrissur | May 11 |
May 1 |
| Aranmula Boat Race Aranmula, Pathanamthitta | Sep 12 | Sep 1 |
| Nehru Trophy Boat Race Punnamada Back water Alappuzha |
Aug 09 | Aug 14 |
| Champakulam Boat Race Champakulam Alappuzha | Jul 12 | Jul 02 |
| Payippad Boat Race Payippad
Near Harippad Alappuzha District |
Sept 10 | Aug 30 |
| Onam Festival | Sep 8 | Aug 28 |
State
Express