The colorful mosaic of Kerala festivals and fairs is as diverse as the land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an essential part of the State. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety, festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition and culture. Round the year the fests keep Kerala life vibrant and interludes in the mundane affairs of life.
Every season turns up new festivals, each a true celebration of the bounties of nature. The festivals exhibits an eternal harmony of spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to exchange gifts.
New attire, dance, music and ritual, all add to their joyful rhythm. It is a time for prayer, for pageantry and processions.....a time to rejoice. The important fairs and festivals in the state are:
Onam - The National
Festival of Kerala : Kerala's most important festival, honouring
King Mahabali, a mythological king of ancient Kerala, whose period was reckoned
as the golden age in the history of the state.
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Thrissur Pooram
: The most spectacular spectacle in the state. This festival
was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state.
Celebrated in Medom (April-May) the festival parades the fulgent faces of Kerala
culture.
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Aranmula
Uthrittathi : Jalolsavams evoke the waves of enthusiasm in the
minds of Southern Keralites. its history is flirting with, paddling with river
gods. Down the years the boat race has accrued sporting value and tourism importance.
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Chittur Konganpada
: Kerala, once a land of small kingdoms, had witnessed several
pitched battles. Few in the state commemorate the war victories of their forefathers.
However, people of Chittor in Palakkad district had assimilated a story of triumph
into their cultural veins and in every February ...
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Maramon Convention
: The largest Convention in Asia, Maramon is held on the sands
of River Pampa, at Kozhancheri, near Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district. Every
year tens of thousands of Christians attend the convention to hear the Word
of God and seek His grace.
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Easter
: Easter is the oldest Christian festival, as old as Christianity itself. The
central tenet of Christianity is not the birth of Jesus, but his resurrection.
Easter is derived from this paschal mystery and from the events of Good Friday.
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Nellikulangara
Vallanghi Vela : A festival unfurling the cultural faces of Palakkad
villages which are still under Tamil sway. The festival at the Bhagavathi temple
at Vallanghi in Chittur is in fact a competition between two villages-Vallangi
and Nenmara- to propitiate the Goddess.
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Thiruvathira
Festival : The festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in
the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). On thiruvathira morning, devotees
throng Shiva temples for an early worship which is reckoned as highly auspicious.
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Oaachira
Kettukazhcha : Oachira, near Kayamkulam, has emblazoned its name
in the chronicle of war. Battle of Kayamkulam, a watershed event in the history
of Travancore, ...
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Nilamperoor
Padayani : A festival that reflects the tradition and the culture
of rural Kerala, Padayani is being held at Nilamperoor Bhagavathikkavu at Kuttanad
in Alapuzha. Kolamkettu (making of effigies) and Kollamthullal (a ritual dance
performed by carrying the effigies) are the main attractions of the festival.
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Ramadan
: Idul-Fitr, of late known by the misnomer 'Ramadan' is one of the two festivals
of Islam. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year. During this month the
Muslims observe fast, giving up all kinds of food and drink during day time,
and spend the major part of the night in devotion and prayer.
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Makaravillakku
at Sabarimala : For centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has
been a major pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of devotees from all over India,
more so from southern States.
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Kerala Village
fair : Every year, for the lush villages around Kovalam, mid
January is the time for cultural events. The traditional thatched houses are
decorated during the ten- day festival.
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Kalapathy
Chariot Festival ( Ratholsav ) : Conquer the depths of the ocean.
One of the finest dive sites in the world. If deep is too scary, then snorkeling
is your option. If underwater is daunting, then ride the waves with a surfboard
or a water scooter.
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