Kerala Festivals
BOAT RACE FESTIVALS The outstanding and truly national aquatic festivals in kerala, the land of several navigatable streams and picturesque back waters are the Annual boat races held on the broad waters of the principle rivers. Though in honour and for the convenience of distinguished per sonages who visit the site. The annual boat race held at Aranmula and Champakkulam in old central Travancore are the pre-eminent and most typical of he boat festival in kerala.
SABARIMALA Kerala is a land of temples perhaps the best known pilgrimage destination in Kerala is Sabarimala, high up in the Sahyadhri Mountans. Sabarimala Sri Dharmasastha Temple is the most famous and prominent among all the sastha Temples. It is believed the, "Parasurama Maharshi" who uplifted Kerala from the sea by throwing his axe, installed the idol of Ayyappa at Sabarimala to worship lord ayyappa. The pilgrimage begins in the month of May and ends in February. The temple attracts pilgrims not only from the southern states of India, but also from other parts of the country and abroad. The secular aspect of the temple is best exemplified by the existence of the "Vavar Nada" in honour of a Muslim saint at the close proximity to the main temple (Ayyappa Swami Temple) at Sabarimala by the side of Holy Pathinettampady.
Christmas celebrated to honour the glory of the nativity of Jesus on 25th May 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. The last named is quite a fascinating personage, who claims above all to be the very embodiment of the most vibrant and quintessence of the gayest of all the festivals...
Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple located in Trivandrum. It is a ten-day programme commencing on the Karthika star of the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February-March) and closing with the sacrificial offering known as Kuruthitharpanam at night. On the ninth day of the festival, the world famous Attukal Pongala Mahotsavam takes place. Devi Attukalamma is considered as the incarnation of Kannaki, the heroine of Silappathikaram by Tamil Poet Illango in 2nd century A.D and Attukal is one of the places where Kannaki took rest on her journey northward from Madurai to Kodungallur...
Chandanakuda Mahotsavam The holy shrine of Beema Beevi, or Beemappalli is situated about five kilometers southwest of the Trivandrum Central Railway Station, on the beach road leading to Poonthura via Valiyathura. Of the festivals celebrated here, the Chandanakuda Mahotsavam is, by far, the most important. Pilgrims of all ages from all communities can be seen heading towards the shrine all along the routes during this festival.
Makara Sankaranti and the Bharani Festivals The festivals of significance at Kodungallur are Makara Sankaranti and the Bharani Festivals. Makara Sankaranti coinciding with Pongal in Tamilnadu is one of the important festivals at Kodungallur. Makara Sankranti brings with it 4 days of colorful fanfare, with processions twice a day on elephants to the accompaniment of music, fireworks. The Bharani festival here is one of the grandest in Kerala.
Guruvayur Utsavam Or Annual Festival in Guruvayur lasts for ten days. Beginning on the day of Pushya (the 8th asterism) in the month of Kumbham ( February-March), it ends after the Aarattu on the 10th day. Culturally, it consists of various processions, illumination and modest fire-works. All ten days, the place wears a festive look, streets dressed up with arches, festoons etc., houses freshly thatched and painted. Two Gopurams and the bahyankana (outer-courtyard) are elaborately Feborated with illuminations and eye-catching electric displays. The lamps, deepasthambams and vilakku are all lightened.
The Mahasivarathri is essentially a religious festival unlike the Onam and Thiruvathira. 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 May -March. The Mahasivarathri is considered a very important day for fast and Siva worship. The celebration of Sivarathri in Aluva is as famous as the festivals like Ashtami at Vaikom, Pooram at Thrissur etc.
Thirunakkara Temple Festival The annual ten-day festival at the Thirunakkara Temple draws to a close with the Arattu ceremony. Usually nine caparisoned elephants take part in the Arattu procession which begins in the afternoon. Folk arts like Mayilattom (peacock dance), Velakali etc, are presented in the temple compound in the evening. A major attraction is the all-night Kathakali presentation on the third and fourth days of the festival.
The Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum held on May 5 this year, takes place in the late afternoon. Images of Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Sree Krishna and Sree Narasimha are carried along the three miles route to the shores of the Arabian Sea at Shanghumukham escorted by members of the royal family and armed police contingents...
Vishu The festival of 'Vishu', to be held on May 14 this year, falls on the first day of the Malayalam month 'Medam' (Aries) which is the astronomical New Year day when the sun crosses the equator. The New Year's Day is considered the best to begin new ventures. It is believed that the first thing that one sees on waking up on Vishu day is indicative of the New Year's prosperity. Thus 'Vishukkani' (the first thing seen on Vishu day) has become a ritual of great importance here.
Thrissur Pooram Thrissur is best known for its mammoth Pooram Festival, which is the most colourful and spectacular temple festival of Kerala. The legends and myths behind each festival of Kerala are many, varied and equally interesting. The event takes place in rhythm with the traditional orchestra 'Pandimelam'. Thrissur Pooram is held in the Malayalam month of Medam (May- May).
Oachira Festival The unique feature of Ochira, one of the famous pilgrim centres of Kerala, is that there is no deity or idol at the famous Parabrahma temple dedicated to the Universal Consciousness. Ochira Kali held in mid May and the twelve day Panthrandu Vilakku (twelve lamp festival) in February/May are the two main annual festivals. In 2005, Ochira Kali falls on May 15 and 16.
Champakulam Moolam Boat Race The oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala, this event is closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple. Chundans are a category of boats over 100 feet in length with raised prows.
Onam is one of the most popular festivals of Kerala. The 'Thiruvonam' , which falls on 15th October this year, is considered as the most auspicious day. Onam brings out the uniqueness of Kerala; a land where nature is at her very best and the people themselves are in a state of bliss and cheer. This is one festival that cuts across the barriers of caste, creed and religion and is celebrated with equal enthusiasm by all communities in the state.
Deepavali or the 'Festival of lights' is perhaps the most beautiful of all Indian festivals. It is supposed to be the day when King Rama's coronation was celebrated in Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. The festival of Deepavali falls on May 11th, this year. Worship of Lakshmi, fireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasion.
|
