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Kerala Fairs & Festivals
The state is as rich in its fairs and festivals as it
is in its culture and tradition. This state has a colorful
list of festivals, that color the state through out the
year and these fairs are as diverse as the land proving
the dictum of unity amidst diversity to be true in the
country. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety, these festivals
are like gems ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition
and culture. As these festivals are spread throughout
the year, every season hosts a new festival, which is
a true celebration of the benevolence of the Nature.
These Festivals create an atmosphere of eternal harmony
and are packed with a lot of excitement and fun. During
these festivals, people find the right time to clean and
decorate their houses and arrange get together with their
friends and relatives and they also exchange a lot of
gifts.
A preview to these fairs and festivals
are as follows:
Aarattu:
This particular Festival has a lot of importance in the
royal family as this festival signifies the role of the
Royal Family in the state till today. Palliveta (royal
hunt) and Arattu (holy bath) are a part of the rituals
of most of the Temples of Kerela. The speciality of Arattu
at the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram
is that the haed of the RoYAL Family of the erstwhile
Travancore still provides escort to the procession of
the idols. The two annual ten day Festivals of the Temple
falls in the month of October- November and march- April.
Pallivetta (Royal Hunt) and Arattu (Holy Bath) are part
of the rituals of the festivals of some of the major temples
of Kerala.
Swati Festival:
This festival is again one of the most important festivals
of the state of Kerela. This is a gala event of music
organized by the state govt.of Kerela every year in the
last week of January. The venue for this Festival is the
famous Kuthiramalika Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, where
once upon a time the great poet- king of Travancore Sri
Swathi Thirunal composed many of his poems. This Festival
draws a large number of poets from different parts of
the state and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.
An august gathering of great maestros from all over the
country celebrate Indian classical music in all its variety
and grandeur.
Jagannath Festival:
The Jagannath Festival is one the most important festivals
of this state as it is celebrated to pay homage to the
lord JAGANNATH. This Festival is a very colourful festival
which is celebrated from eight days and is held in the
Malayalam month of Kumbham (February or March) at the
Jagannath Temple at Madathiparambhu, near Thalassery in
Kannur. The idol of Lord Siva, the presiding deity was
installed here by the famous social reformer and philosopher,
Sree Narayana Guru on 13th February, 1908. The seventh
day of the festival is the most auspicious. The event
highlights religious conferences participated by eminent
scholars and social reformers, elephant processions, fireworks
display and cultural programmes.
Indira Gandhi Boat Race:
This Festival is celebrated in the last week
of December, and is a fitting finale to the Tourism Fair,
which attracts a lot of travelers from all over the globe.
The sixteen majestic snake boats racing neck to neck in
gaiety and competition to the sky-rending cheers of the
multitudes, is a unique sight. The coveted trophy of the
race was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late
Prime Minister of India.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race:
This Boat race is one of the most famous boat races
of Kerala and is held annually on the Punnamada Backwaters
of Alappuzha district on the second Saturday of August.
Famous for its fierce competition, this festival attracts
a lot of people from different states The event is a commemoration
of the visit to this place by the late Prime Minister
of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1952. The spectacular races
features magnificent snake boats or 'Chundans'. The boisterous
and rhythmic boat songs or Vanchipattu work the spectators
to a state of frenzy.
Sabarimala Festival:
This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord AYYAPA who
is revered by all in the country.Sabarimala is a renowned
pilgrim center atop the rugged hills of the western ghats.
This holy shrine is dedicated to Lord Ayyapa and the main
pilgrimage is undertaken in the month between November
and January. There are two main rituals called the Mandal
Puja and the Makara Sankranti Puja, which is celebrated
from November to mid-January in Kerala during which time,
the devotees perform austerities and penance.
Onam:
This is one of the most popular festivals of the state
of Kerala. It is the Harvest Festival that celebrates
a happy blending of myth and reality and is a part of
the cultural celebration of every Malayalee. It brings
back nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore,
of a bygone Utopian era of prosperity, equality and righteousness,
under the golden reign of Mahabali. Year after year, for
centuries, the people of Kerala, irrespective of caste,
creed or colour, join together to welcome back their vanquished
king. The ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September,
coinciding with the beginning of the harvest season.
Easter:
EASTER is one of the major festivals of Kerala celebrated
mostly by the Christians of this state. This is a celebration
of the resurrection of Christ and is undertaken with religious
fervor by all the Christians of the state. Unlike Christmas
with its festive mood, Easter has a ritualistic fervor
attached to it. The abstinence period of 50 days 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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