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Onam is
celebrated as a national festival of Kerala. It synchronizes with the
tourist week celebration, which starts formally on the day of Atham
asterism. The image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) is
installed in every Hindu home during the Onam season. Children go around
collecting flowers and decorate t hem
in the front portion of the house in various designs and patterns. The
most important days 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 among the Keralites. It's a perfect
example for the religious harmony of the state.
This is a
typical keralite festival of boat races. It is held in August in
the Punnamada Kayal, which commemorates the visit of former Prime
Minister, Late Jawaharlal Nehru to Alleppey. Similar boat races are held
also at Aranmual and Champakulam, which has a religious significance. The
later commemorates an episode involving the idol of Sri Krishna, which was
lifted from Kurichi by the Chempakasseri Raja's men for consecration in
the Ambalapuzha. The idol had to rest in the house of a Syrian Christian
at Chempakulam. Therefore, even today the flag and coir rope required for
the Chempakulam boat race is supplied from the local Kallurkad Church.
Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July
- Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August
- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,
- Mannar, Aranmula, and Thiruvandoor near
Vishu
The first month of Malayalam Calendar is Medam (April-May) and the first
day of Medam is celebrated as Vishu, the New Year day. Begin an auspicious
day; it is a common belief that the fortune of the coming year depends on
the first day. So the first day begins with ceremony of Kani Kanal, which
literally means first sight. At the dawn, the Malayali's begin the first
day of the Year by waking up in front of Kani. The Kani includes gold
ornament, white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror,
flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved
coconuts, yellow cucumber, and two standing oil lamps emitting sparkling
light their eyes. Another interesting features of this day are Kaayi
neetal where the elder members in the family gift money to the younger
ones.
Mahasivarathri
Hindus celebrate Mahasivarathri, all over the world in Kumbam (Feb-March).
It commemorates the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakuda
visham) to save the world from destruction. The offering of special pooja
and abhishekhams, and the presentation of cultural programmes in all the
Shiva temples celebrate the day. The annual Sivarathri festival held on
the banks of River Periyar at Alwaye, is one of the most spectacular local
festivals of Kerala, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over
the state. It has been compared to the Kumbamela at Prayag.
Navarathri
Literally Navarathri means Nine nights. This festival is celebrated for
Navagraha Naayagi (Nine nymphs). It is called by different names in
different parts of India. In Karnataka, it is called Dasara, in Bengal -
Kali Pooja and in this state it is known as Saraswathy Pooja. Saraswathy
is known as goddess of Knowledge. On this day all tools and books are kept
for Pooja. Children who are to begin their schooling are made to write the
first alphabet in rice with their finger.
Asthami Rohini
The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great importance on this
day. It is held in the month of Chingam (Aug- Sept). Devotees visit the
Krishna temples where special Pooja and cultural programmes are held.
Thrikarthiaka
This festival is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (Nov -Dec). Display
of light in the evening is a unique part of the festival.
Thiruvathira
Thiruvathira falls on the month of Dhanu (December-January) and is a
women's festival. It commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the cupid of
Hindu mythology. The aim of the celebration is conjugal harmony and
happiness. The dance form Thiruvathirkkali is associated with this
celebration.
Pooram Festival - Meenum (March-April)
Sabarimala Festivals - Vrishikam (November-December)
Ashtami at Vaikom - Kumbham (February-March)
Thrissur
Pooram - Medam (April-May)
Christmas
All Christians celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ on 25th
Dec. Holy Mass is held in all the churches in the state. Carol singing,
setting up of Christmas tree in all churches and homes, exchanges of cards
and receiving gifts from Santa Claus are all integral part of the
festivities associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. There is a feast in
every Christian home with meat as a special item, and the celebrations of
Christmas leave good memories in every heart.
Easter
This is another important festival of Christians, which commemorates the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter usually falls in March-April, after
40 days lent of fast and penance. Christians go for mid-night mass, as a
memory of the resurrection of Jesus, 2000 years ago.
Other Christian Festivals
St.George's Church, Edathwa - 27 April to 7th May
St.Sebastian's Church, Arathungal - 20th January to 31st January
St George's Church, Aruvithura - 22nd to 24th April
St Thomas Shrine, Malayattur - Last week of March or first week of April
St Mary's Orthodox Church, Manarcad - Sepember 1st to 9th
Parumala, Mannar
Maramon Convention
Bakrid
The Bakrid commemorates Ibrahim's (Abhraham) offering of his only son as a
sacrifice in obedience to God's command. The Muslims enjoy hearty feasts
on Bakrid day. The rich may sacrifice a he goat or a bullock and
distribute it among Frieds, relatives and the poor. The famous Haj is
performed after the celebration of Idul Azha.
Idul Fitr
Idul Fitr is celebrated after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when
Muslims give up all kind of food and drink during the day and spend the
major part of the night prayer.
Miladi Sharif
Miladi Sharif, celebrated on a large scale in April, Commemorates the
birth of the prophet. This celebration has acquired its present dimensions
only in recent times. Previously the day was observed by the Muslims by
reading what is commonly known as Maulud which is a short treatise in
Arabic celebrating the birth, life, work and sayings of the prophet or
some saint.
Muharram
Muharram is another festival celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of
Muharram the forbidden month, which marks the beginning of the Hijra year.
Chandankudam at Beemapally
The Chandankudam at Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most
colourful of Muslim festival in Kerala. It is said to be the death
anniversary of Beema Beeevi, a devout pilgrim lady who came to Kerala from
Mecca. The festival begins on the 1st of Jamadul Akhar of the Hijira Era
(October) and lasts ten days. Carrying earthen posts smeared with sandal
wood paste and the mouth of the pot tightly closed with a Jasmine garland
around the edges, thousands of pilgrims go around the mosque and the
hallowed tomb of the devout lady in procession. Then the earthen port with
money is placed at the tomb as an offering.
Jarram Nercha
- Thervath Mosque, Pallanchathanur
Nercha Festival - Ottapalam Mosque
Jarram Nercha - Theruvath Mosque
Malappuram Nercha - Malappuram Mosque
Kodikuthu Festival - Kanjiramattom Mosque
Chandanakkudam Festival- Beemapalli, Thiruvananthapuram
- Boat races
and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July
- Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August
- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,
- Mannar, Aranmula, and Thiruvandoor near
- Chengannur during Onam festival in Septmeber
- Sivagiri Festival at Varkala ,in the month of Decemeber
- St.George's Church festival in Edathwa from 27 April to 7th May
- St.Sebastian's Churchin, Arathungal from 20th January to 31st January
Ernakulam (Cochin)
- Utram festival at Tripunithura in the month of February
- Sivarathri Festival at Aluva Manappuram in the month of February
- Sankaracharaya Jayanthy in the month of May at Kalady
- St. George Ferona Church Festival at Edappally, in the month of May
- Ashtami at Vaikom in November
- St Thomas Shrine festival at Malayattur in March / April
- Kodikuthu Festival at Kanjiramattom Mosque 25 km from Kochi
- St George's
Church festival in Aruvithura in the month of April
- St Mary's Orthodox Church at Manarcad in the month of September
Malappuram
- Malappuram Nercha in Malappuram Mosque
Palakkad (Palghat)
- Nercha Festival in Ottapalam Mosque
Pathanamthitta
- Makara Vilakku Festival at Sabarimala Temple in January
- Pathishtadinam.at Sabarimala in the month of June
- Ochirakali - A festival of martial Arts at Ochira in June
- Madalam Festival at Sabarimala Temple in November
- Madala Pooja at Sabarimala Temple in December
- Annual Parumala Perunnal at Parumala Church, 11 km from Thiruvalla
- Maramon Convention in Maramon- Asia's largest Christian gathering,
in the month of February.
- The
Elephant march in the month of January
- Kodiyettu at Guruvayoor in March
- Ashtami Festival & Elephant races at Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor in
March
- Thrissur Pooram at Trissur in April
- Arattupuzha Pooram at Arattupuzha Temple in the month of April
- Krishna Jayanthi at Guruvayoor in October
- Ekadasi festival at Guruvayoor in December
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
- The Elephant march in the month of January
- Onam Tourism week in the month of August -Septembert
- Mahanavami - Dance & Music Festival in the month of October
- Chandanakkudam Festival in Beemapalli
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