Kerala, the enchanted lands that are blessed with the bounty of nature, see
a lot of celebrations through out the year. The cultural values are quite
dominant here and so is the community structure. The temperament, that of
the populace, like the place itself is mild and calm. But, when it comes to
celebrations the people know their style.
Celebrated in Kerala are popular festivals of India and some regional
festivals. The festivals are celebrated with much fanfare and some
interesting practices. One of the most interesting are boat races that
commence in the month of August. There are religious practices, ritual
performances, processions, decorations, gifts, food, cultural programs and
more, accompanying the festivals. Festivals celebrated in Kerala include:
Festival : Onam (Regional Festival)
Celebration Time: Celebrated for 10 days in the month of
Chingam, according to Malayalam calender.
Celebrated As: The festival is celebrated to pay homage to
the legendary king, Mahabali.
Activities: The festival is marked by pomposity. People
decorate their homes, temples are adorned and a lunch is arranged on the
fourth day of festival. The boat races is an important feature of the
festival.
Festival : Thrissur Pooram (Regional Festival)
Celebration Time: Celebrated in the Mayalam month Medam
(April-May).
Celebrated As: A temple festival introduced by the
erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi city.
Activities: Elephant processions and marathon.
Festival : Payippad Jelotsavam (Regional Festival)
Celebration Time: Celebrated three days from the Onam
festival day.
Celebrated As: The festival is celebrated to commemorate
the Prathista ceremony of Haripad Subramanya temple.
Activities: Snake boat processions and boat races.
Festival : Attukal Pongala (Regional Festival)
Celebration Time: February - March.
Celebrated As: The festival is celebrated to pay homage to
Goddess Bhagavathy and is one of the widely celebrated festivals by women in
South India.
Activities: Preparation of sweet porridge, chanting of
devotional hymns.
Festival
: Vallamkali or Boat Festival (Regional Festival)
Celebration Time: The festival is celebrated in the month
of August.
Celebrated As: The festival is celebrated at many places
in Kerala to commemorate the lifting of the image of Lord Krishna for
consecration, Raja Chempakasseri.
Activities: Particularly known for boat races.
Festival : Mahashivratri (Popular Festival)
Celebration Time: Celebrated in the month of Kumbam that
is Feb-March.
Celebrated As: The festival is celebrated to commemorate
the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison to save the world
from destruction.
Activities: Offering of prayers and poojas, temple
adorations and hosting of various cultural performances.
Festival : Theyyam (Regional Festival)
Celebration Time: Celebrated for more than six months from
October-November
Celebrated As: Essentially a dance festival celebrated to
worship Mother Goddess.
Activities: Cultural performances.
Festival : Nehru Trophy Boat Festival (Regional Festival)
Celebration Time: Second Saturday in the month of August.
Celebrated As: It is a traditional festival started from
the year 1952.
Activities: Boat races.
Festival : Id-ul-Zuha (Popular Festival)
Celebration Time: 10th of the last month of Muslims, Dul
Hajj.
Celebrated As: To commemorate offering made by Abraham.
Activities: Animal sacrifices and offering of prayers.
Festival : Easter
Celebration Time: April.
Celebrated As: Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Activities: Prior abstinence and offering of prayers.
