January
Thrichenganoor
Mahadeva Temple
This Mahotsavam (grand festival) is at Thrichenganoor Mahadeva Temple,
Chenganoor, 35 kilometers from Kottayam. This is the only temple in Kerala,
which conducts a twenty eight-day annual festival. The last ten days are
the most important. Festival highlights: Spectacular procession in the
mornings and evenings, all night Kathakali for two nights, Arattu, Thiruvathirakali,
Chakyarkoothu, Ottanthullal, Kavadiyattam, Mayilattam, Karakkattam, Ammankudam.
Deities of the temple: Lord Siva & Sree Parvathi.
Thaipooya
Mahptsavam
At Sree Subrahmanya Swami Temple, Harippad Festival highlights: Thaipooya-kavadiyattom,
Chuttuvilakku. Deity of the temple: Sree Subrahmanya
Danaha
Perunal
The annual two-day (first week of January) Danaha Perunal at St. Mary's
Church (Valiyapalli) Piravom, 35 kilometers from Ernakulam. Festival highlights:
Spectacular processions carrying gold and silver crosses and colorful
parasols, Panchavadyam, Nadaswaram, musical bands fireworks display. Patron
of the church: St. Mary.
Gramam
The Kerala village fair at Eve's beach, Kovalam, 16 kilometers from Trivandrum.
An entire Kerala village is recreated by the beach during this 10-day
long festival.
February
Nishagandhi
Dance Festival
The classical dances are presented at Trivandrum in February every year.
It is a splendid opportunity to watch south Indian classical dances, Mohiniyattam
, Kathakali (Kerala) Bharathanatyam (Tamil Nadu) Kuchipudi (Andhra) and
Odissi (Orissa), Manipuri (Manipur) and Kathak (North Indian).
Attukal
Pongala Utsavam
Only women are allowed at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Trivandrum during
the pongala. Festival highlights include preparation of pongala by thousands
of women devotees in the temple courtyard. The chief priest to the temple
goes around carrying the sword of the Goddess, blesses the devotees, sprinkles
holy water and flower petals on them, procession of the deity's idol,
Thalapoli, Kuthiyottam, Caprisoned elephants, Chendamelam, Nadaswaram,
Kumbhamkudam, Classical music recitals, Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam,
Kathakali. Deity of the temple: Goddess Bahagavathy.
Malabar
Mahotsavam
A cultural Extravaganza that showcases the centuries old rich cultural
heritage of India held in every year in Calicut. Festival highlights:
Classical dances, music concerts, ritual art performances, food festival
featuring the local delicacies and fire works display.
March
Sivaratri
Aluva Sivaratri at Siva temple, on the banks of Periyar at Aluva.
Kalavayal
(Cattle Fair)
Kakkoor kalavayal, 40 kilometers from Cochin, Ernakulam District. It is
a post harvest festival.
April
Sree
Padmanabha Swami Temple
There is a ten-day annual UTSAVAM (festival) at Sree Padmanabha swami
Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Festival highlights: Pallivetta, Arattu, ceremonial
processions, Kathakali performances. Deity of the temple: Lord Vishnu
reclining on the serpent Anantha.
Mamangam
10-day annual Mamangam at Thirunavaya Navamukunda temple in Malappuram
district, near Calicut
May
Trissur
Pooram
11th May: Pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants assembled in the precincts
of the Vadkkumnathan Temple. Attractions: Kudamattom, Chendamelam, Panchavadyam,
spectacular firework display.
June
Ochirakali
16-17: Annual OCHIRAKALI at Parabrahma Temple, Ochira, Kollam. The temple
has no shrine or presiding deity. It is consecrated to the cosmic consciousness.
Ochirakali commemorates the war between the rulers of Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha
principalities on the Ochira Pandanilam (battlefield). Festival highlights:
Martial performances, cattle and agricultural trade fair.
August
-September
Athachamayam
Athachamayam events to mark the beginning of the Onam festival on the
Atham day of the Malayalam month Chingom at Thrippunithura, Kochi. Festival
highlights: Spectacular procession of caparisoned elephants, colorful
floats, musical ensembles, Theyyam, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam, Pambamelam,
Karakattam, Mylattam, Ammankudam, Attakavadi, Pulikali, Kaduvakali, Parichamuttukali,
Kolkali.
Onam
Onam is the principal festival of Kerala that is celebrated all over the
state in the month of August. This is celebrated annually welcoming the
visit of the legendary king of Kerala, the Mahabali. The tale is so told
that, eons before a great king named Mahabali was ruling Kerala. Gods
became worried of the so prosperous reign of the king and feared if Mahabali's
reign would overdo heaven in terms of prosperity and order and tried to
rout the king, from earth. Lord Mahavishnu according to the intrigue descended
to earth and went to the King Mahabali in the form of a Brahmin sage in
the name of Vamana seeking three yards of space to sit and meditate.
The
king agreed but suddenly the sage vamana grew into such an enormous figure
that his two feet covered earth and hell (Pathalam). Then seeking the
third yard approached the king Mahabali. So benevolent a king that he
was, offered the space for the third step on his head by kneeling and
stooping before him. Vamana then accepted and took it as the opportunity
to push him down to hell. The king could realize his plight and asked
a boon to visit his land and his subjects every year. That bon was granted
and from thence the people of Kerala celebrate Onam as the occasion of
the arrival of their grand old king - The Mahabali.
The
main celebrations are of ten days, beginning from the day of Attham, and
ending on the day of Thiruvonam. People make this as the opportunity for
festivities that include decorations, shopping and grand feasts. The tenth
day is the most important of Onam Festival.
October
Soorya
Dance Festival
This classical dance festival is conducted for the ten days every year
in Trivandrum. Renowned dancers from all over India participate in this
festival. Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Bharathanatyam, Kathakali & Mohiniyattam
are performed at this festival. It starts from 1st and concludes on the
10th of October every year.
Kothamangalam
Marthoman Church
On October 2nd and 3rd. This festival is in remembrance of St. Baselios.
This is a more than 300 year old festival. 45 Kilometers from Cochin.
November
Mannarasala
Aayilyam
11th: Mannarasala Aayilyam at Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple (32 kilometers
from Alappuzha) on the Alappuzha-Kollam route. Festival highlights: Colorful
serpent worship rituals Ezhunnallathu Uruli kamazhthal, a unique ritual
offering made by placing an Uruli (a bell metal based vessel) upside down
before the deity. This offering is usually made by couples who seek the
boon of a child. Deity of the temple: Nagaraja-king of serpents.
Parumala
Perunal
Nov 1st and 2nd: Annual Parumala Perunal at Parumala church, Mannar,11
kilometers from Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District. This festival is in
Memory of St: Gregorious
St.
Mary's Forane Church, Bharananganam
The Feast of Mr. Carmel on 9th November at St. Mary's Forane Church, Bharananganam,
40 kilometers from Kottayam. Festival highlights: Special devotional rites,
Ceremonial processions, Chendamelam and fireworks.
Sree
Krishna Temple
18th -25th: Annual eight-day UTSAVAM at Sree Krishna Temple, Thiruvambadi,
2 kilometers from Alappuzha town. Festival highlights: Kodiyettam, Grand
elephant procession and Chendamelam. Deity of the temple: Sree Krishna
December
Sabarimala
2-11: Annual Mandala Puja at Sree Dharmasastha Temple, Sabarimala. 210
kilometers from Cochin.
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