Kerala
Fairs & Festivals
Kerala is as rich in its fairs and festivals as it is in its culture and tradition. This state has many beautiful festivals that add colours to the state the entire year. Each
Kerala fairs and festivals are like diamonds emerging from the coal in the mines. Every season has a different festival, which is a true celebration of the Nature.
These Festivals create an atmosphere of extreme joy and are filled with a lot of excitement. During these Kerala festivals, people clean and decorate their houses with many things and arrange get together with their friends and family and also exchange many gifts. A preview to some of the Kerala fairs and festivals are as follows:
Aarattu
Aarattu festival signifies the role of the Royal Family in Kerala till date. Palliveta (royal hunt) and Arattu (holy bath) are a part of the rituals of the Temples of Kerala. The two annual ten-day Festivals of the Temple fall in the months of October- November and March- April.
Swati Festival
This festival is also considered as one of the most prestigious festivals of Kerela. This is an event of music, which is organized by the state government of Kerela every year in the last week of the month of January. This Festival takes place in the famous Kuthiramalika Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, where once upon a time the great poet- king of Travancore, Sri Swati Thirunal composed many of his poems. This Festival attracts a large number of poets from all major parts of the state and is celebrated with a lot of joy. A gathering of great maestros from all over the country celebrates Indian classical music in many varieties in the month of August.
Jagannath Festival
The Jagannath Festival is also one the most important festivals of Kerala as it is celebrated to pay tribute to the lord Jagannath. This Festival is a very colourful festival, which is celebrated for eight straight days and is held in Kumbham (February or March), which is a month according to the Malayalam calendar at the Jagannath Temple at Madathiparambhu, near Thalassery in Kannur. The famous social reformer and philosopher, Sree Narayana Guru, installed the idol of Lord Siva here, on 13th February 1908. The 7th day of the festival is said to be the best of all the days. The event highlights religious conferences participated by eminent scholars and social reformers, fireworks display, elephant processions, and cultural programmes.
Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Indira Gandhi Boat Race Festival is celebrated in the last week of December, and is a grand finale to the Tourism Fair, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. The 16 majestic snake boats racing head to head is an outstanding sight. The coveted trophy of the race was made in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of the most renounced races of Kerala and is held on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district on the 2nd Saturday of August every year. This festival attracts a lot of people from different states and is famous for its fierce competition. The event is in memory of the late Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru who visited this place in 1952.
Sabarimala Festival
This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Ayyapa who is worshipped by all in the state. Sabarimala is a famous pilgrim spot on top of the hills of the Western Ghats. This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyapa and the main pilgrimage takes place in the months of November and January. There are two main rituals called the Mandal Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which are celebrated from November to mid-January in Kerala.
Onam
This is once again one of the most famous festivals of Kerala and commonly known as the Harvest Festival. It is a part of every Malayalee’s cultural celebration. The 10-day Onam festival falls in August-September, along with the beginning of the harvest season.
Easter
Easter is one of the most important festivals of Kerala and is celebrated by the Christians. This is a celebration to pay tribute to Jesus Christ and is undertaken religiously by all the Christians of the state. The 50 day period 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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