Great Elephant
March
January 17 - 20
If you’ve a
penchant for parading pachyderms, Kerala’s
where you should be headed. Every December- or
January, depending upon the Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation. This is when God’s
Own Country celebrates not just its elephants,
but also everything else that makes this state
the crowd-puller it is. The Great Elephant
March, which continues for three days, begins in
Thrissur and traces its way through Alleppey to
the capital, Thiruvananthpuram. The March starts
with just that: a march of a hundred and one
elephants, all gloriously decorated and
accompanied by ornate, tinselled umbrellas. What
follows is 72 hours of cultural performances and
sporting events: snake boat races, kathakali,
bharatnatyam and mohiniattam performances,
kalaripayyatu duels, elephant tug-of-war,
fireworks displays and more. It’s a neat
little snapshot of Kerala, and is immensely
popular with the droves of tourists- both Indian
and foreign- who follow the march.
Onam
August to September
The legend of Onam is about the sweet memories of a period of peace and prosperity when Mahabali an emperor of the Asuras who was ruling over this land. His golden age came to a tragic close when Vamana expelled Mahabali from his kingdom. He is expected to visit the land once a year. Onam is the celebration of his people at the time of his visit.
Onam is the state harvest festival of Kerala. The grandest celebration, with floral decorations and traditional feasts. The festival is suppose to begin from the lunar asterism Attam which falls 10 days before asterism “Thiruvonam”. The preparation for the celebration begins on the Atham day with “Athapoovu” a floral mat in the front of each house. Thiruvonam is the most important day of the festival.
Oonjalattom, Thumbithullal, Thiruvathirakali, Kaikottikali, Kaduvakali, Boat races are the main attraction of the tourist.
Nehru Trophy Boat
Race
Allapuzha, 14th August
It is the most important boat races in Kerala and the trophy was instituted by the former prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and hence the name Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
The air gets charged with excitement as different types of boats take part in the competition. The boats are bean shaped, tight tailed, curly headed, snake boats. These boats of exquisite elegance plough the waters with the rhythm of drums, cymbals and legendary songs. Boats gleam scarlet silk umbrellas as the boats go in procession in the backwaters of Kerala. This water carnival is the cheer and attracted of many tourist.
Thrissur Pooram
April to May
Thrissur Pooram is the most spectacular colorful temple festival of Kerala. It consists of a procession of richly caparisoned elephants to the Wadakunatha temple. The festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the maharaja of the Kochi state. The marvelous as well as the magical music of the panchavadyams- a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is enjoyed . The pooram festival is well known for the magnificent display of the dashling fire works. The pooram attracts large masses of devotes and spectators from all parts of the world.
Aranmula Uthrittathi
Chengannur, August to September
The famous snake boat carnival on the river Pampa at Arannula on the day of Uthrittathi asterism in connection with the Onam festival is to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The race is not conducted for any trophy or prize. The crew regards the occasion as one for rejoicing and merry making and cheerfully row up and down the river to the tune of songs. The crew includes oarsmen singers and rudder men. Each boat is gaily decorated with banners and ornamental umbrellas of silk and gold. The boats resemble the snake with their hoods raced. It's a festival of spiritual devotion and enduring friendship and ruptures delight.
Chittur Konganpada
Palakad, February to March
Konganpada is a grand festival of historical significance celebrated in the Bhagavathy temple at Chittoor, Palakad. A unique festival held every year on the first Monday after the dark lunar night in Kumbhom to commemorate the victory of Nairs Chittoor over the militia of Konganadu led by Chola King Rajadiraja. The festival starts with 'chilambu' and attracts many for their Arippathattu (flag hosting), Konganpad gun shots, Kolam processions with elephants and chariots and Olavayana (declaration of war). Along with this other entertainments are also held. The festival ends with the function called "Pallu".
Maramon Convention
Kozhencherry, February
Maramon Convention is held at the banks of river Pamba, for centuries been recognized as center of Christian culture and influence. Maramon is famous as the birth place of Palakkunnathu Abrham Maplah, a 19th century leader of Syrian church of Malabar. Marmon convention is the largest Christian gathering in Asia. It's a 10 days convention for listening to the word of God as read and expounded by leaders of Christian thought from all over the world. It displays co-operation and union between different sections of church. It is a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment.
Kerala Village Fair
Mid January
A ten day festival held in a lush villages around Kovalam to showcase Kerala's rural arts and artifacts.
Jewish Festivals
April May
Tradition is that ten thousand Jews came to Kerala soon after the distruction of their 2nd temple in 72AD. Among the Jewish festivals, Sabbath occupies the pride of place. Passover or the fest of the unleaved bread is one commemorating the birth of Israel as a nation.
- Pentecost
May June
It has agricultural and historical significance.
- Feast of tabernacle
September October
During this feast Jews set temporary booths covered with palm leaves and decorated with citrus and other fruits.
- Jewish New
Year
September October
It is not a time of revelry, but a solemn season for self-assessment and judgment in the life of a Jew. Bay of Atonement is the second day after the new year which is the most solemn day in Jewish calendar.
- Hannukka
The festival of light is celebrated as a popular celebration of the Jew.
Other national festivals day like Independence day,
Republic day, Gandhi Jayanthi and Hindu festivals like Deepavali, Muslim festivals Ramzan & Bakrid and Christian festival like Christmas and Easter are also celebrated in Kerala with
regional flavor. |
