Kerala Fairs & Festivals
The state is as rich in its fairs and festivals as it is in its culture and
tradition. This state has a colorful list of festivals, that color the state
through out the year and these fairs are as diverse as the land proving the
dictum of unity amidst diversity to be true in the country. Observed with enthusiasm
and gaiety, these festivals are like gems ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition
and culture. As these festivals are spread throughout the year, every season
hosts a new festival, which is a true celebration of the benevolence of the
Nature. These Festivals create an atmosphere of eternal harmony and are packed
with a lot of excitement and fun. During these festivals, people find the right
time to clean and decorate their houses and arrange get together with their
friends and relatives and they also exchange a lot of gifts. A preview to these
fairs and festivals are as follows:
Malabar Mahotsavam:
The Malabar Mahotsavam is a cultural extravaganza that imbibes the rich traditional
values of this state of Kerala and has a lot of importance as a festival in
the hearts of the people.This event takes place at the Mananchira grounds
in the heart of Kozhikode town from the13th to the 16th of January every year.
Swati Festival:
This festival is again one of the most important festivals of the state of
Kerala.This is a gala event of music organized by the state govt.of Kerala
every year in the last week of January.The venue for this Festival is the
famous Kuthiramalika Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, where once upon a time
the great poet- king of Travancore Sri Swathi Thirunal composed many of his
poems.This Festival draws a large number of poets from different parts of
the state and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.
Arattu:
This particular Festival has a lot of importance in the royal family as this
festival signifies the role of the Royal Family in the state till today.Palliveta
(royal hunt)and Arattu (holy bath) are a part of the rituals of most of the
Temples of Kerala.The speciality of Arattu at the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple
in Thiruvananthapuram is that the haed of the RoYAL Family of the erstwhile
Travancore still provides escort to the procession of the idols. The two annual
ten day Festivals of the Temple falls in the month of October- November and
march- April.
Jagannath Festival:
The Jagannath Festival is one the most important festivals of this state as
it is celebrated to pay homage to the lord JAGANNATH. This Festival is a very
colourful festival which iscelebrated fr eight days nd is held in the Malayalam
month of Kumbham ie.(February or March) at the Jagannath Temple at Madathiparambhu,
near Thalassery in Kannur.
Thirunakara Festival:
The Thirunakara Festival is celebrated in the Thirunakara Temple situated
in the heart of Kottayam and id dedicated to Lord Shiva and is very famous
because of its grandeur and its traditional importance.This festival is a
homage to the Mahadeva that is Lord Shiva worshipped mostly by the Hindus.
Attachamayam:
This Festival owes its origin to the Raja of Kochi and is celebrated to commemorate
his legendary victory.This festival takes place on the Atham day of the Malayalam
month of Chingam ie.(August –September),at the historical town of Thirupunithura,
near Kochi.
Indira Gandhi Boat Race:
This Festival is celebrated in the last week of December, and is a fitting finale
to the Tourism Fair, which attracts a lot of travelers from all over the globe.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race:
This Boat race is one of the most famous boat races of Kerala and is held
annually on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the second Saturday
of August. Famous for its fierce competition, this festival attracts a lot
of people from different states.
Sabarimala Festival:
This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord AYYAPA who is revered by all
in the country.Sabarimala is a renowned pilgrim center atop the rugged hills
of the western ghats.This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyapa and the
main pilgrimage is undertaken in the month between November and January.
Onam:
This is one of the most popular festivals of the state of Kerala.It is the
Harvest Festival that celebrates a happy blending of myth and reality and
is a part of the cultural celebration of every Malayalee.
Easter:
EASTER is one of the major festivals of Kerala celebrated mostly by the Christians
of this state. This is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ and is
undertaken with religious fervor by all the Christians of the state. Unlike
Christmas with its festive mood, Easter has a ritualistic fervor attached
to it. The abstinence period of 50 days preceding Easter known as LENT, the
pal Sunday celebrations and the Holy week comprising Maundy Thursday, Good
Friday and Easter are all part of the celebrations.
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