Home to a large number of temples, churches and mosques, Kerala serves as a wonderful example of unity in diversity. Here, different festivals are celebrated year-round. Let it be temple festivals, carnivals of churches or any other ceremonious occasion - every festive occasion in Kerala is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety. The colorful festivals in Kerala show the spirit of the people. Onam, the state festival, is celebrated by people of all religions and communities with zeal and enthusiasm. On the other hand, religious festivals like Diwali, Christmas, Mahashivaratri, Bakrid, Id-ul-Fitr and Easter are celebrated with equal fun and fervor
Onam is the most important festival of Kerala. Celebrated annually in the month of Chingam (August-September), Onam is a harvest festival. Wearing new clothes and feasting on the traditional lip smacking delicacies of Kerala are the highlights of the festival. According to the legends, Onam is celebrated on the arrival of King Mahabali, who once ruled Kerala and was sent to ‘Patalam’ by Vamana, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that King Mahabali returns to Kerala to see his beloved people. On this occasion people decorate their houses. One can see intricate floral Rangoli called ‘Pookalam’ laid at the verandah of every household, during the festival. Apart from the intricately prepared pookalams, there’s a also a tradition of preparing Onasadya (traditional meal consisting of 10–15 dishes) on the last day of the festivals; and the thunderous Snake Boat Race (also known as Vallamkali in Kerala) held in Aranmula on the shores of River Pamba. Witnessing around 30 boats, with 100–150 people on each boat, race with never seen before ferocity but within the spirit of the festival is a sight tobehold. No wonder it invites many a tourists from across the world and undoubtedly, Onam is a perfect occasion in Kerala for families to get back to their relatives and friends.
Nehru Trophy Vallamkali or Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous and competitive of the boat races held annually at the PunnamadaKayal (Lake), near Alappuzha (Alleppey) in Kerala. This aquatic festival, called as Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (also spelled Nehru Trophy Vallam Kali) in Malayalam, is organized on the second Saturday of August every year. Vallamkali or Vallam Kali means boat play or boat game, and the boat races, particularly the competition of ChundanVallams (Snake Boats) is the main attraction for the tourists. However Nehru Trophy Boat Race ranks top among the list. Viewed by a large number of spectators from all over the world, this long-awaited Kerala boat race has become an international sports event. It is awesome to note that each village in the Kuttanad region participates in the competition. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is only one of its kinds in the world, conducted in Kerala, and the 2012 Nehru Trophy Vallamkali date is on 11th August 2012 (Saturday) The history of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is associated with the visit of late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India to Alappuzha. He chanced a trip from Kottayam to Alappuzha by boat, through water logged Kuttanad. A pageantry of boats accompanied him on the trip.The first race was an impromptu once conducted in 1952 in honour of Panditji who visited Alappuzha.In that race of snake boats, NadubhagamChundan stood first. Panditji, who was thrilled and excited in the performance of the oarsmen, jumped into the NadubhagamChundan, forgetting all security arrangements.The boat proceeded to the boat jetty carrying the Prime Minister.On his return to Delhi in December 1952, Nehru donated a Silver Trophy, which is a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus.Thetrophy bears the following inscription above his signature..
ThrissurPooram is the most spectacular festival of Kerala. It is aptly called Pooram of all Poorams where Pooram means 'the meeting point of all the arts'. Rich art and culture of the state of Kerala can be seen in its entire splendor in this marathon 36 hours festival. ThrissurPooram is celebrated in the asterism Pooram in the month of Medam according to Malayalese calendar. This refers to the month of April-May according to Gregorian calendar. The festival was introduced by the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi, Rama Varma. Celebrations are held at Thekkinkadu grounds encircling the Vadakunnathan temple. A large number of spectators and devotees assemble to watch the joyous festival which witnesses a meeting of deities of ten different temples. Procession of decorated elephants, dazzling display of fireworks are the major attractions of the festival besides several other enthralling musical programmed and events
Deepavali or Diwali (Festival Of Lights) is a beautiful festival of Hindus. Celebrated 21 days after Dussehra, it marks the return of Lord Rama (Hero of the epic Ramayana) to Ayodhya after his 14 years exile. Thousands of traditional clay lamps are lit in houses all over the country. Lakshmi-the goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped. The houses are cleaned and decorated with designs drawn on the floor (kolams). It is believed that Lakshmi only enters homes that are clean and spotless. People wear new apparel, consume a rich and sumptuous feast and burst crackers. It is celebrated for five days. Each day dedicated to a special thought. First day - Dhanteras or Dhantrayadashi is celebrated in favour of goddess Lakshmi. Poojas are performed and devotional songs are sung in praise of the goddess. Small foot steps are made with rice flour and vermilion powder on the floors of the houses depicting the arrival of the goddess. Earthen lamps filled with oil having cotton wicks are arranged in neat rows along the walls and parapets in the verandahs. These lamps are lit in the evening and kept throughout the night. Glittering lights are a splendid spectacle. Second day the Narka - Chaturdashi orChotiDiwal, the celebrations are based on a legend of the killing of the NarakaAsura by Lord Krishna. Traditional early baths with oil are made and kumkums are applied on their foreheads. The following days Goddess Kali is worshipped, books are worshipped in a special ceremony, old accounts are settled and new ones are opened and the legend of the Asura king Bali is remembered. On Diwali day, delicious sweets are prepared and exchanged among friends and relatives
This festival is praise of mother Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and music. A musical concert of reputed classical singers is held every evening for nine days at NavarathriMandapam of Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum. History of Navratri circles behind Durga. In nine days of Ashwin or Ashvin month (Seventh month in Hindu calender) Durga fight against Mahishasuran, and in the ninth day that is in the Navami day Durga killed Mahishasuran. From that incident Durga decided to take vratham for nine days in every year of Ashwin month. Navratri is celebrated with this belief. Also when Raman goes to kill Ravanan, Naradan told Sreeraman to take this vratham. Raman went to kill Ravanan by taking this vratham.
