Kerala Tourism

The 10-day festival is Kerala's most important festival, honouring King Mahabali, a mythological king of ancient Kerala, whose period was reckoned as the golden age in the history of the state. He was the embodiment of virtues, goodness, so was his regime which was marked by equality and harmony among people

The festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). On thiruvathira morning, devotees throng Shiva temples for an early worship which is reckoned as highly auspicious. Tradition says Thiruvathira is celebrating the death of Kamadeva, the mythological God of Love. According to another version, Thiruvathira is the birthday of Lord Shiva. The festival has similarities to adra darshan celebrated in Tamil Nadu

This festival in Sabarimala marks the end of Mandalam. For centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of devotees from all over India, more so from southern States. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, considered a symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites

Christmas, the most popular festival of the Christians, is celebrated to mark the birth date of Jesus of Nazareth. Besides, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Christmas also combines various secular traditions influenced mainly by ancient winter festivals such as Yule and Saturnalia. A typical Christmas celebration includes Christmas trees, cakes, exchange of gifts and cards and the arrival of Santa Claus on the Christmas Eve to give away presents. The festival promotes goodwill, compassion and love

Among the various Hindu festivals in Kerala, Vishu occupies a unique position in more than one respect. As symbol of the unostentatious Malayali, Vishu is free from the usual pomp and show and merry-making associated with other festivities. When almost all the festivals are connected in some way or other with religion, Vishu has nothing to do with it, though it is observed with religious solemnity. The first day for Medam is the unchangeable day of Vishu, whereas other festivals are determined according to the lunar asterisms on which they fall. This day on which Vishu falls is the astronomical new year day and it is celebrated as such. The Malayalis believe that the fortunes for the year depend upon the nature of the object one sees first in the morning of Vishu Day. In order to fulfill the desire to look at the auspicious articles, they prepare a 'Kani' (anomen) on the previous day for seeing in the next morning. In circular bell-metal vessel known as 'Urule' some raw rice is put and over it a folded newly washed cloth is spread

One of the largest and most spectacular temple festivals of the world, the Thrissur Pooram unfolds against the backdrop of the famed Vadakumnathan Temple in Trichur, the sanctum of Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Drawing huge masses of people and involving meticulous planning, this festival has been described as the ‘mother of all poorams’. It is essentially an assemblage of the ten deities from nearby temples paying homage to their lord and benefactor, Vadakumnathan. Principle participants are the two temples of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi; their friendly and much feted rivalry enlivens the proceedings. The pooram culminates in a parade of thirty elephants from adjoining temples and some stunning fireworks at 2.30, next morning

The unique feature of Ochira, one of the famous pilgrim centres of Kerala, is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. Ochira Kali held in mid June and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival) in November/December are the two main annual festivals. Ochira Kali, is a mock fight enacted between groups of men dressed as warriors on the padanilam (battle field). They perform a martial dance standing in knee-deep water, brandishing swords and shields, and splashing water in every direction

It marks the birth of the Sree Narayana Guru, the Kingpin of a social revolution, which transformed the caste-ridden society of Kerala

Deepavali, the festival of lights, is held throughout India. In Kerala, this is celebrated only by Hindus. It falls on the preceding day of the New Moon in the Malayalam month Thulam (October-November). It is celebrated in commemoration of the destruction of the demon called Narakasura by Lord Krishna. As Lord Krishna killed Narakasura on the Chaturdasi day (the fourteenth lunar day) it is also known as Narakachaturdasi

Also known as 'Ramadan', is one of the two festivals of Islam. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year. During this month the Muslims observe fast, giving up all kinds of food and drink during day time, and spend the major part of the night in devotion and prayer

Tigers, when they are in a jolly good mood, dance! Unheard and unseen in a forest. But it happens in broad daylight on the streets of the Swaraj Round in the town of Thrissur. With the arrival of Onam, Kerala gets busy with many traditional events to celebrate the occasion of Onam; the biggest of all festivals in Kerala. And one such event that continues to cheer and entertain the onlookers is the exciting Puli Kali or the dance of the tigers.

Even though Puli Kali is performed during Onam in many parts of Kerala, it is the one in Thrissur that is famous for its huge turn out of performers and the people who come to witness it. For the performance, the menfolk would have their bodies and faces meticulously painted to resemble tigers. They move in groups and would dance to the tune of percussions and enact scenes of playing hide and seek with a hunter wielding a gun. Besides the typical black and yellow colours of a typical tiger, performers improvise their tiger make-up colours and finally emerge in a riot of colours to entertain the crowd.

The annual festival held in the Malyalam month of Kumbham is one of the most well-known festivals of Kerala. The festival and the temple are dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. Almost all the folk arts of South Kerala are presented at the temple. The all-night Kathakali performances are a must-see for Kathakali buffs

Some other spectacular features include a Kettukazhcha procession, Kuthiyottam, Padayani, Kolkali and Ammankudam. The Kettukazhcha, a ceremonious procession that draws large crowds of devotees includes brightly decorated structures, the tall and bigger ones assumed as horses and smaller one as chariots, cultural performances forming part of the spectacular pageant.

The temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy at Kodungalloor is famous for the annual Bharani festival. It is believed to have been a Shiva temple originally, as worship is offered first to Shiva before being offered to Bhagavathy (Goddess). The image of Bhagavathy at the Kodungalloor temple is believed to have been carved out of a jack fruit tree. The face of the image is covered with a mask and decorated with several pieces of jewellery

During the annual Bharani festival, the Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple would become a beehive of activities. Among the proceedings the most spectacular of events is of course the Kaavu Theendal ceremony. This ceremony is noted for the participation of hundreds of sword wielding oracles (locally known as velichappads) both men and women, who are considered by devotees as the medium to communicate with the Goddess

The temple where this festival is held is unique in that it is dedicated to Duryodhana, the enemy of the virtuous Pandavas, heroes of the epic Mahabharata. This is perhaps the only one of its kind in the whole of India

The festival highlights include various folk art performances, a Kettukazhcha procession and the Kaala vela. The decorated temple chariot is a beautiful sight.

Pattambi Nercha is a festival held in memory of Aloor Valiya Pookunjikoya Thangal, a Muslim saint of Malabar. The festival climaxes in a grand procession of nearly 100 caparisoned tuskers, colourful floats, music concerts like the Panchavadyam (an ensemble of five horns and drums) and the Thayambaka (an ensemble of drums) and folk art forms. The procession concludes late at night on the banks of River Bharathappuzha where the Panchavadyam rises to a crescendo and the art forms take on a spectacular magnificence.

The annual Ratholsavam or chariot festival at the Sree Viswanatha Swamy temple, dedicated to Lord Viswanatha or Siva, is one of the most remarkable of the festivals of Kerala. Kalpathi, an early Tamil Brahmin settlement is also known as Dakshin Kasi or the Varanasi of the South. During the first four days, Vedic recitals and cultural programmes are held in the temple, believed to be over 700 years old. On the last three days, thousands of devotees gather together to draw decorated temple chariots through the streets. This ceremonial procession taken out by a sea of chanting people is a sight to behold