Festivals of Kerala

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Festivals of Kerala

Sree Adi Sankaracharya Jayanthi

Sree Adi Sankaracharya Jayanthi is the birthday of the great Indian philosopher who preached the philosophy of Advaita.

Ambalappuzha Utsavam

Ambalappuzha Utsavam, Sree Krishna Temple is a glorious tribute to the Kerala style of architecture. The holy offering of delicious milk porridge 'Ambalappuzha palppayasam' is the most striking feature of the rituals at this temple.

Arattupuzha Pooram

Arattupuzha Ayyappa Temple - Arattupuzha Pooram is a mind blowing spectacle. Sixty caparisoned elephants bearing brightly coloured muthukkuda (silken parasols) and white tufts present an exotic pageant

Attuvela Mahotsavam

Attuvela Mahotsavam, Vadayar A procession of canoes carrying a huge replica of the temple. The Goddess Bhagavathy is the presiding deity in this small temple

Birth anniversary of Raja Ravi Varma

Birth anniversary of Raja Ravi Varma April 29, Birth anniversary of Raja Ravi varma the corridor walls of the palace were his canvas and charcoal his brush in early childhood

Death anniversary of the Blessed Sister Alphonsa

Buddha Poornima

Buddha Poornima, Bodhi tree, under which the great saint realised that 'desire was the cause of sorrow', in Bodhgaya district of Bihar then became a famous pilgrim centre.

Carnatic music

Carnatic music is the tradition of Indian classical music that developed in the southern states. It is based on fully composed musical pieces called Kritis which, like the Italian sonata, have certain well established structures that fully elaborate the raga in all its emotional and textual ramifications

Chaakara

Chaakara, Every Monsoon (June/July) a crescent shaped mud bank with apparently no waves, appears in certain places in the 270 km stretch of sea between Kozhikode and Kollam. To the fisherman this is his greatest catch

Chambakkulam Boat Race

Chambakkulam Boat Race, One of the most popular snakeboat races of Kerala, the Chambakkulam Moolam Vallomkali is conducted on the Moolam day of the Malayalam month of Mithunam (June/July).

Chettikulangara

Chettikulangara, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha District dedicated to goddess Bhagavathy is about 5 km from Kayamkulam

Church at Mannanam

Annual feast at Church at Mannanam, The St.Joseph's Monastery at this church which preserves the mortal remains of the blessed Fr. Kuriakose Elias of Chavara has become a famous pilgrim centre

Cochin International Airport Nedumbassery

Cochin International Airport Nedumbassery , Near Nedumbassery is Kalady, the birth place of Adi Sankaracharya the great Indian philosopher, and an important pilgrim and learning centre.

C V N Kalari

C V N Kalari, Kalarippayattu, considered to be the mother of all the martial art forms in the world, is a priceless asset to Kerala's heritage

Duryodhana temple

Duryodhana temple, Malanada, Kollam is dedicated to Duryodhana, the antagonist in the epic the Mahabharatham. Toddy (an alcoholic beverage extracted from the coconut palm) is the ritual offering in this temple.

Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple

Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Ettumanoor, Kottayam District, Roudra (fierce) and Vatsalya (love) are the two moods of the presiding deity, Lord Mahadeva (Lord Siva) at the Ettumanoor temple

Good Shepherd Church

Good Shepherd Church, Kottayam , feast of the Good Shepherd, the annual celebration at the church is conducted with great devotion and festivity

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Malappuram

Kadammanitta Patayani

Kadammanitta is noted for the Patayani, an important ritual art performed in the premises of the Devi temple

Kalavayal, Piravam

Kalavayal, Piravam is a traditional post-harvest festival. This festival is the venue for the annual meeting of the goddesses at Edapra and Ambassery (nearby villages) believed to be sisters

Kalpathy Chariot Festival or Ratholsavam

The annual Ratholsavam or chariot festival at Sree Viswanatha Swamy temple lasts for seven days. On the last three days beautifully decorated temple chariots are ceremoniously drawn through the streets by thousands of devotees whose soul stirring chants rent the air.

Kanjiramattom Mosque

Kanjiramattom Mosque, This mosque, 25 km from Kochi, is believed to have been built as a memorial to Sheikh Fariduddin.

Kathakali Sangeetham

Kathakali Sangeetham Vocal musicians or bhagavathars standing at the corner of the stage sing, the lead singer called Ponnani bhagavathar keeps time with a resounding gong called the Chengila . He is assisted by Shankidi who plays a pair of Ilathalam (small cymbals)

Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam One of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of Kerala, the Kalamandalam is the cradle of Kathakali training in India

Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple

Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple, The Bharani festival which falls in the Malayalam month of Meenam attracts the largest congregation of Velichappadu or Oracles

Kollengode, Palakkad

Palakkad, known as the granary of Kerala, is a land of palms and paddy fields. And Kollengode enshrines the pristine beauty of rural Palakkad. The village gets its name from the blacksmith ( Kollen) community who live here.

Kondotty Nercha

Kondotty Nercha, Malappuram District The festival Valiya Nercha (The Great Vow), a week-long festival in March. Thousands of devotees attend the religious procession and fairs held during the festival.

Koodalmanikyam

Koodalmanikyam the festival which marks the end of the Hindu festival season in Kerala.

Koorkkencherry Sree Maheswara Temple

Koorkkencherry Sree Maheswara Temple, Koorkkencherry, Thrissur District, the presiding deity here is Lord Maheswara (Siva). This festival is the right venue to watch the glittering Kavadiyattom

Kottakkal Pooram

Kottakkal Pooram celebrated during mid-April. During the seven festive days, famous classical artistes of the country perform here

Kottankulangara Temple

Kottankulangara Temple, Chavara, Chamayavilakku - A rare ritual of men dressed up like damsels Often strange and colourful rituals are performed during the festivals of Kerala

Kottayam Valiyapalli

Kottayam Valiyapalli The feast at Valiyapalli (big church) attracts people from different parts of the country. The church was jointly built by the Christians of Kodungalloor and Kaduthuruthy in 1550

Kottiyur Siva Temple

An important pilgrim centre of north Kerala, the shrine dedicated to Lord Siva is often describe as the ‘Varanasi of the South’.

Kovalam Beach

Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay, its shark free waters fringed with coconut groves and miles of fine sand. And offers facilities like good accommodation to suit all budgets and a range of sea food restaurants facing the beach.

Kulathupuzha Vishu Mahotsav

Kulathupuzha Vishu Mahotsav, Lord Sastha Temple, (Sastha is another name for Lord Ayyappa), Kulathupuzha, Kollam district, south Kerala

Kummatti, Alathur

Kummatti, Alathur, On the day of the Kummatti festival about ten caparisoned elephants participate in the procession. On the previous day of Kummatti the traditional folk art Kanyarkali is performed

Kunchan Nambiar

Kunchan Nambiar the satirist is the man who made literary wit and humour understandable to the common man.

Kunnathurpadi Sree Muthappan Devasthanam

Kunnathurpadi Sree Muthappan Devasthanam, Kannur district

Lakshmana Perumal Temple

Lakshmana Perumal Temple The ninth day of the ten-day festival is the most auspicious, when a spectacular procession of caparisoned elephants is taken out.

Navarathri

Navarathri : the festival in honour of Devi the Divine mother is celebrated across the nation in September-October.

Lokanarkavu temple

Lokanarkavu temple, Vadakara, Kozhikode District is frequently alluded to in the northern ballads or the 'Vadakkanpattu' of Kerala.

Madhur Vinayaka Temple

Madhur Vinayaka Temple annual festival lasts five days. On the last day the image of the deity (Thidampu) is taken out in a procession. A display of various art forms and Yakshagana dance-drama make the festival colourful.

Manjinikkara Church

Mar Ignatius Elias III, the holy Patriarch of Antioch died at this place in 1932. His mortal remains are preserved in the church at Manjinikkara. This church has now developed into a pilgrim centre for both Indian and foreign devotees.

Mappilapattu

Literally the word Mappila refers to the Muslim community of north Kerala and Pattu means songs. The Mappilappattu is hence a song sung by this community during their religious as well as on other occasions.

Monsoon in Kerala

Monsoon in Kerala, It's much awaited, much loved and, often, much feared for the havoc it unleashes. But despite the inconveniences, the Monsoon is magic, and marks rejuvenation time in God's Own Country.

Navarathri Festivals

Navarathri : the festival in honour of Devi the Divine mother is celebrated across the nation in September-October. The most auspecious days of the festival are Durgashtami (October 5) Mahanavami (October 6) and Vijayadasami (October 8).

Nenmara Vallangi Vela

Nenmara Vallangi Vela, Nenmara Vallangi Vela is a joint invocation of the Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy, the people of Nenmara and Vallangi villages.

Nishagandhi Dance Festival

Nishagandhi Dance Festival is staged every year, from February 21 to 27. Renowned classical dancers perform at the Nishagandhi open air theatre near Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram city

Ochira Parabrahma Temple

Ochira Parabrahma Temple Oachirakkali, the annual festival at the Parabrahma temple, has a historical background and highlights the martial skills of the participants

Omalloor Vayalvanibham

Omalloor Vayalvanibham the annual cattle fair of the State, is held in the Malayalam month of Meenam (Pisces). People from all over the State and even outside participate in this rustic fair.

Omanathinkal Kidavo...

Omanathinkal Kidavo..., composed for the young prince Swathi Thirunal of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom by the famous poet lyricist Ravi Varman Thampi

Onappattu

This folk song describes the festivities of Onam the famous harvest festival of Kerala. The folk song or nadanpattu of Kerala tell tales of the land that have never been recorded.

Ottanthullal

Ottanthullal is a classical performing arts of Kerala, Thullal is distinct for its simplicity of presentation, wit and humour. It follows the classical principles of Natyasasthra

Panchavadyam

Panchavadyam - A mesmerising native orchestra, Pancha (five) Vadyam (instrument) is an orchestra, typical of Kerala, consisting of five instruments - Maddalam, Edakka, Thimila, Ilathalam and Kombu.

Pandimelam

Pandimelam, a traditional temple music is an orchestra of four instruments - the Chenda, the Kuzhal, the Kombu and the Ilathalam, played mainly in the major temple festivals of Kerala like the Thrissur Pooram

Parumala Church

It is at this church that Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, the declared saint of the Malankara Orthodox Church in Kerala, lies in eternal rest. Devotees from all over the state attended the special rites and prayers offered as part of the commemorative feast of the saint.

Passover festival

Passover festival The Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry, was built in 1568 AD. The synagogue still has the sacred scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates which recorded the grants of privilege bequeathed by the Kochi rulers to the immigrants

Songs of Patayani

Patayani Pattu - Songs, Kadammanitta, Kadalimangalam, Neelamperur and Othara in Pathanamthitta are famous for annual Patayani performances.

Pattambi Nercha

Pattambi Nercha, Pattambi, Palakkad District, held in memory of Aloor Valiya Pookunjikoya Thangal - a Muslim saint of South Malabar

Payippad and Neerettupuram vallomkali

Payippad and Neerettupuram vallomkali, Pulinkunnu vallomkali, Aranmula vallomkali

Kettukazcha at Poruvazhi Malanada Temple

Kettukazcha is the procession of large and beautifully decorated motifs of mythological characters, horses, bulls etc. A votive offering to the deity, these elegantly decorated motifs are made in a competitive spirit by the people of the various villages and localities around the shrine

Pulluvanpattu

Pulluvanpattu, is a ritual song in praise of serpent deities. In Kerala, snakes have been worshipped since ancient times. Most Hindu homes, especially the Nair tharavads have a shrine dedicated to the serpent gods in the south west corner of the compound. These shrines are called Sarpakkavu or serpent groves.

Ramayana Masam

Ramayana Masam, Ramayanamasam or 'the month of Ramayana' begins on the first day of Malayalam month Karkkidakom (July 17, 1999) and, called so because as a ritual in almost every Hindu home in Kerala the epic is read and completed within a span of 31 days.

Sivagiri Theerthadanam

Sivagiri Theerthadanam, Sivagiri Mutt is an asram founded by the great Hindu reformer Sree Narayana Guru who emphasised the gospel of 'One Caste, One Religion, One God'

Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi

Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi , Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) was a renowned philosopher and social reformer of modern Kerala. Social justice and universal brotherhood were the cardinal principles he preached.

Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple

Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Thiruvananthapuram city Pallivetta (royal hunt) and Arattu (holy bath) are part of the rituals of the festival

St. George's Church, Aruvithura

St. George's Church, Aruvithura One of the oldest churches in Kerala, it is believed that the St.George's Church was established by St. Thomas in the first century A.D. The church was reconstructed in the 16th century.

St Joseph's Church, Pavaratti

St Joseph's Church, Pavaratti, Perunnal is the feast of St. Joseph held every year on April 24 and 25 at the church in Pavaratti.

St.Thomas Day

St.Thomas Day , Christianity was brought to Kerala and thus to India by St.Thomas the Apostle in AD 52. The 3rd of July is observed in Kerala as his martyrdom day.

Swathi Sangeethotsav

Swathi Sangeethotsav A gala festival of music organised by the Government of Kerala every year in the last week of January.

Swathi Thirunal Jayanthi

Swathi Thirunal Jayanthi 30th of April is the birth anniversary of one the leading men in history of Kerala. Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (1813 - 1847) of Travancore

Tender coconut

Tender coconut Known as elaneeru or karikku, the tender coconut is full of vitamins and nutrients and is considered a food in itself

Thali Utsavam

Thali Utsavam An important temple of the erstwhile Zamorin kingdom of Kozhikode, the Thali temple is famous for the Revathi Pattathanam, an annual competition of pedagogic skills

Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram

Thirumandhamkunnu Pooram, This annual eleven day festival is one of the major event in northern Kerala. Grand elephant processions, performance of art forms like poothamkali, nayadi, etc, form the highlights of the festival

Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple

Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple dedicated to Lord Siva is famous for the grandeur of its traditional architecture

Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple is also known as the Sahyamala Kshetram. It is believed to be more than 3000 years old. Legend has it that this temple dedicated to lord Vishnu was built by lord Brahma (The Creator) himself - an architectural marvel with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.

Thiruvathirakali

Thiruvathirakali was initially a ritual dance performed by women, in order to attain marital bliss, on the Thiruvathira day of the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December - January).

Thiruvathirappattu

Thiruvathirappattu a song typical to Kerala, reminds of the olden days when Thiruvathira was observed as an occasion to celebrate womanhood.

Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur Pooram, Processions of majestically caparisoned elephants, changing of sequinned parasols and fireworks display

Vadakkanpattu or Northern Ballads

Vadakkanpattu or Northern Ballads of kerala tell the tales of valiant heroes of North Kerala of a bygone era, composed in verse in a pure rustic style. They extol the chivalry and valour of the Ankachekavars or warriors who waged many a famous duel. Some of these ballads have survived the passage of time in the form of work songs.