.png)
Kerala
Festivals
National Festival
The festivals of Kerala bring out the true emotions of a keralite in terms of their
cultural beliefs. Being the land of festivals everyone celebrate throughout the
year in spite of difference in religion. Onam is the harvest festival which promotes
the idea of selflessness, to stop the discrimination based on cast, joy, prosperity
and so on. These were the ideologies once followed in Kerala in the times of the
famous ruler Mahabali. It’s believed that the incarnation of the Hindu god Maha
Vishnu named Vamana had cursed the king and was rewarded the opportunity to visit
his people every year during the time of Onam.
Religious Festivals Apart from this the religious festivals like Vishu which
is celebrated in the second week of april is a festival of lights and fireworks
celebrated by the Hindus. The Muslim community celebrates festivals like Eid Ul
fithur and Bakrid vividly in different parts of Kerala. The Christian community
celebrates festivals mainly like Christmas and New Year with great pomp and show.
Numerous other festivals are a part of the rich Kerala culture.
Temple Festivals The festival of Vadakumnathan temple known as the Thrissur
Pooram is one of the main attractions in Kerala. The processions of the elephants
ornamented with stunning Nettipattams, the rhythmic bliss of Shingari Melam, the
amazingly beautiful fireworks all to gather makes the Pooram experience one of its
kind. The Sree Pathmanaba's Arattu or the Royal procession of Temple deity of Travancore
kingdom happening twice a year in Thiruvananthapuram is another famous temple festival's
of Kerala. It's considered as one of the last legacy of royal heritage were the
Indian Army, Kerala police, the Air force and the Naval authority pays there homage
with the grand 21 salute to the lord. Till date the procession is lead by the Royal
Maharaja of Travancore along with his palace guards. Each festival brings with it
the message of unity in diversity of the astounding culture of Kerala.
"Festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbors into dialogue, they increase creativity,
they offer opportunities for civic pride, and they improve our general psychological
well-being. In short, they make cities better places to live."
-----David Binder
-
Back to linksCloseONAM
Onam is the harvest festival which promotes the idea of selflessness, to stop the discrimination based on cast, joy, prosperity and so on. These were the ideologies once followed in Kerala in the times of the famous ruler Mahabali. It's believed that the incarnation of the Hindu god Maha Vishnu named Vamana had cursed the king and was rewarded the opportunity to visit his people every year during the time of Onam. -
Back to linksCloseVISHU
The religious festival like Vishu which is celebrated in the second week of april is a festival of lights and fireworks celebrated by the Hindus. Other elements of Vishu include buying of new clothes (Puthukodi) for the occasion, the tradition of giving money called Vishukkaineetam and the Vishu feast or Sadya, which consist of equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Feast items include Veppampoorasam, Mampazhappulissery, Vishu kanji and Vishu katta and so on. -
Back to linksCloseCHRISTMAS
Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated on December 25 by millions of people around the world. The Christian community of Kerala celebrates festivals mainly like Christmas and New Year with great pomp and show. Families organize feast and churches conduct special prayers during this period. -
Back to linksCloseTHRISSUR POORAM
The festival of Vadakumnathan temple known as the Thrissur Pooram is one of the main attractions in Kerala. The processions of the elephants ornamented with stunning Nettipattams, the rhythmic bliss of Shingari Melam, the amazingly beautiful fireworks all to gather makes the Pooram experience one of its kind.