Onam - The National Festival of Kerala

Kerala's most important festival, honouring King Mahabali, a mythological king of ancient Kerala, whose period was reckoned as the golden age in the history of the state. It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala. He was the embodiment of virtues, goodness. So was his regime which was marked by equality and harmony among people. Onam is marked by festivity. Keralites bash up the day.Children go around collecting flowers and decorating them in the front portion of their houses in different designs and patterns. Special prayers are offered in temples. Delicious dinner on Onam celebration. Traditional food is served on plantain leaves. An emotional string is attached to this festival since Keralites living elsewhere in the world make it a point to reach their native place to join the gala.Onam festival is an example of religious harmony and provides for family get-together.  

Navratri

The Navratri celebration is known by different names in different parts of India. It is Durga Puja of Bengal, Dussehra of Bombay and the Saraswati Puja and the Ayudha Puja of the south. The Navratri festival runs over 9 days. The last three days of navratri are most important. The last three days are known as Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijaya Dasami. On the night of the Durga Ashtami day, there is the ceremony known as 'Puja Vayppu'. It involves decorating a room superbly, illuminating it with many lights and arranging on a platform, raised in the middle of the room, the things necessary for performing Saraswati Puja. During the last three days of Puja, all sorts of learning and business come to a stand still.The nine-day Navratri festival and the Vijayadashami day in Kerala is mainly dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi and is noted for the Vidyarambham ceremony.On the Vidyarambham day, young children are introduced into the world of alphabets or letters and they take the first step into the world of knowledge.

Mahasivarathri - Religious festival

Mahasivarathri festival commemorates the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakuda visham) to save the world from destruction. On the Mahashivaratri day, people throng all the prominent Shiva temples to offer their prayers to lord Shiva.The word means `the great night of Siva. According to the Sivapurana, it falls on the Krishna Chathurdasi day which is on the fourteenth day during the warning of the moon in the month of Megha, though in some years it may occur in Phalguna also. In Kerala the month of Kumbham is noted for the Sivarathri festival which falls in February -March.The Mahasivarathri is considered a very important day for fast and Siva worship.People cluster round the Siva temple and after bath smear their bodies with holy ashes and keep on reciting the prayers to siva. Pooja to Siva is kept up all the night. Strict vigil is kept in the holy night. Early next morning people bath once more, worship Siva and return to there are Siva temples where Kavadiyattom is of great significance in the celebration of the Sivarathri festival.

Asthami Rohini - Religious festival

Asthami Rohini, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervor in the state. It is celebrated in the month of Chingam (Aug- Sept). Devotees visit the Krishna temples to offer Pooja and prayers. Cultural programmes are also held to mark the occasion.Every Hindu home is cleaned and decorated for the occasion. Small footprints representing those of Unnikrishnan (little Krishna) are drawn using a paste of white rice powder. Palppayasam, a sweet delicacy made using sugar, milk and rice, is cooked at night.

Thrikarthiaka

Thrikarthiaka is the festival of lights celebrated in Kerala on the Kartika Nakshatram (star) in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (Nov-Dec). It usually falls on the full moon day in the month and on the day all the houses, streets and temples are well lit with traditional oil lamps.Display of light in the evening is an integral and unique part of the festival.On the Thrikarthika day after sunset, houses, streets and temples are decorated with special oil lamps. Earlier people used to make use of the shell of Marotika to light lamps. Now the Marottika shell is widely replaced by clay.

Thrissur Pooram

One of the largest and most spectacular temple festivals of the world, the Thrissur Pooram unfolds against the backdrop of the famed Vadakumnathan Temple in Trichur, the sanctum of Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Drawing huge masses of people and involving meticulous planning, this festival has been described as the 'mother of all poorams'. It is essentially an assemblage of the ten deities from nearby temples paying homage to their lord and benefactor, Vadakumnathan. Principle participants are the two temples of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi; their friendly and much feted rivalry enlivens the proceedings. The pooram culminates in a parade of thirty elephants from adjoining temples and some stunning fireworks at 1.30, next morning.

Boat Races

Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the annual water carnival at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha is considered as the biggest snake boat race in the world. The colourful boat pageantry, which precedes the boat race, is a marvelous treat to the onlookers. Jawaharlal Nehru who was enthralled by the charm and gaiety of the water carnival instituted the Nehru Trophy. This boat race attracts a large number of tourists. Excitement and enthusiasm fill the air. Magnificently decorated Chundan Vallams, with raised stems resembling the hood of a cobra slit the calm backwaters. Powered by more than 150 singing and shouting oarsmen. Scores of boats take part and are cheered and jeered by thousands of enthusiastic spectators, Payippad and Aranmula villages too witness the strength and power of oarsmen who vie for a victorious finish. Period: August/December - every year.

Christmas

Christmas celebrated to honour the glory of the nativity of Jesus on 25th December is the most significant and spectacular of Christian festivals. No other celebration is so enriched with so many customs and ceremonies. There is an array of spectacles like Christmas Star, Christmas tree, the Crib, Christmas cake, Christmas presents and the Christmas Father.Christmas is an important festival of Kerala. During Christmas, holy Mass is held in all the churches of Kerala. Singing of Christmas Carols, Setting up of Christmas tree, exchanges of cards, gifts etc form an integral part of Christmas festivities in Kerala.

Easter

Easter is another important festival of Christians, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is celebrated with fervor and dedication among the Christian community of Kerala. Easter generally falls in March-April. During the Easter celebrations, Christians go for mid-night mass as a memory of the resurrection of Jesus.

Bakrid

Bakrid commemorates the sacrifice of Ibrahim in obedience to God's command. Bakrid is an important festival of Kerala. Muslims enjoy hearty feasts on Bakrid day. Many rich people sacrifice goats and distribute them among friends, relatives and the poor, to mark the occasion.

Idul Fitr

Idul Fitr/Eid 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. Since Kerala has a substantial population of Muslims, Idul Fitr/Eid is an important celebration

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.