FESTIVALS AND FAIRS

Festivals and fairsKerala has its own festivals and festivities of gaiety and charm. And Kerala has so many of them that no one can probably have a better festive calendar than Kerala. Some of Keralas innumerable festivals, however stand out because of their uniqueness.


ONAMOnam, the most typical Kerala festival which coincides with month of harvest season in an occasion for spontaneous revelry. It falls in the month of Chingam (August - September). It celebrates the home coming of Mahabali, the legendry king who ruled over Kerala in an age of plenty and was pushed down to the infernal regions (Pathalam) by Vishnu in the form of Vamana.Onam is being celebrated as a national festival under Government auspices. It synchronises with the tourist week celebrations in the state. The Onam celebrations starts formally on the day of Atham asterism. The image of Thrikkakkara appan (Vishnu in the form Vamana) is installed in very hindu home during Onam season. Children go around collecting flowers for the decoration of the front portion of their house in different designs and forms which change from day to day. The most important day 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 for the Keralites.


NavarathriNavarathri festival which is called Dasara in Karnataka and Kali pooja in Bengal is celebrated as Saraswathy Pooja in the state. Saraswathy is worshipped a goddess of learning. On the Durgashtami day the pooja veppu is performed when all sorts of study and work are put aside. The Vijayadhasami day is observed as the day for the break up of the pooja and the initiation of children into the study of the Alphabet. Work and study and then resumed.
MahashivarathriMahashivarathri, the great night of Shiva is celebrated in Kumbham (February - March). It commemorates the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison Kalakuda Visham to save the world from destruction. The day is celebrated by the offering of special poojas and abhishekams and the presentation of cultural programmes in all Shiva temples. The annual Shivarathri festival held on the banks o Periyar river at Aluva is one of the most spectacular local festival of Kerala which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the state. it has been compared to the Kumbhamela at Prayag.


Ashtami RohiniAshtami Rohini, the birth day of Sri Krishna is of great importance. It is celebrated in the month of Chingam (August - September). Devotees visit the Krishna or Vishnu temples where special Poojas and cultural programmes are held.
DeepavaliDeepavali, the festival of Lights is celebrated by the display of fire works and burning f crackers.Thrikarthika is another festival which is celebrated in the month of Vrishikom (November - December). Display of lights in the evening is an important part of the festival.
Mandalam seasonThe 41 day Mandalam season beginning with the first day of the month of Vrischikam is sacred to the Hindus. The 41st day which coincides with the Makaravilakku in Sabarimala is the concluding day of the festival.


Guruvayur EkadasiAt Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayur, the great Ekadhasi festival is held annually for five days in the month of Makaram (January - February) and Karkatakam (July - August) are particularly important for the performance of Shradha.
Vallam Kali (Boat Race)The Vallam Kali or Boat Regatta is typical of Kerala. It is held in August in the Punnamada Kayal which commemorates the visit of Prime Minister Nehru to Alappuzha. Similar Boat races are also being held at Aranmula and Chambakkulam which have a religious significance. Ther are also other temple festivals which have local importance. The sree Padhmanabha temple has two Arattu festivals, One in Thulam (October - November) and other in Meenam ( March - April) lasting fo 10 days. The festival ends with the Arattu procession of the deity with the Maharaja of Travancore at its head.

PongalAttukal in Thiruvananthapuram city is famous for its nine days Pongal festival in the month of Kumbham. The highlight of the festival is on the 9th day when several thousands of women assemble in the temple premises and cook the Pongala as an offering to Bhagavathy.


Religious FestivalsChristmas and Easter are the main festivals of christians. Christmas alls on December 25th and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Holy mass is held in all churches in the state. The Christmas tree is decorated in churches and homes. The appearance of Santa Claus and the distribution of presents are highlights of the celebration. There is a feast in every Christian home with meat as a special item. Easter commemorates the resurrection f Jesus Christ. It falls in the month of April. The Maramon convention held every year in march on the river bed of Maramon under the auspices of the Marthoma church is the biggest gathering of the Christians in Asia and the second biggest in the world.


Muslim Religious FestivalBakrid (Id ul Azha) and Ramzan (Id ul fithar) are the major Muslim festivals. Muslims enjoy a hearty feast on Bakrid day. The famous Hajj is performed after Id Ul Asha. Id Ul Fithar is celebrated after the conclusion of Ramzan fast when Muslims give up all kind of food and drink during day and spend major part of the night in prayer. Miladi Sheif (Nabidinam) in April commemorates the birth of the prophet. Muharam is another festival celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Muharam, the forbidden month which marks the beginning of the Hijra year. The Chandanakkuam of Beema Palli near Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most colorful Muslim festival in Kerala. It is said to be the death of anniversary of Bheemadevi, a devote pilgrim lady who came from Mecca to Kerala.