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| Parippalli Gajamela (On 01 March 2009) |
| Venue: Kodimoottil Bhagavathy Temple, Parippalli, Kollam |
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Kodimoottil temple is one such centre of worship, which is dedicated to Bhadrakali, the goddess, in her most fierce form. To add to the charm of the whole affair, there are cultural events also, which occur in the succeeding days of the festival. The temple present Gajamela (the procession of elephants) as part of their festivals |
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| Chettikulangara Bharani (On 02 March 2009) |
| Venue: Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha |
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The annual festival held in the Malyalam month of Kumbham is one of the most well-known festivals of Kerala. The festival and the temple are dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy.
Some other spectacular features include a Kettukazhcha procession, Kuthiyottam, Padayani, Kolkali and Ammankudam. The Kettukazhcha, a ceremonious procession that draws large crowds of devotees includes brightly decorated structures, |
| the tall and bigger ones assumed as horses and smaller one as chariots, cultural performances forming part of the spectacular pageant. |
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| Attukal Pongala (On 10 March 2009) |
| Venue: Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram |
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It is the Pongala festival celebrated at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, at Attukal in Thiruvananthapuram city, which has won this prestigious distinction for being the largest gathering of women for a religious purpose.
Only women are allowed to participate in this ritual. Right from the previous night, thousands of women, regardless of caste, creed and colour assemble at the temple. |
| Pongala is a ritualistic offering of a sweet dish consisting of rice porridge, sweet brown molasses, coconut gratings, nuts and raisins. The word Pongala means ‘to boil over’. This is believed to appease the leading deity here, who is known as Attukalamma (Mother of Attukal). more... |
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| Chinakkathoor Pooram (On 10 March 2009) |
| Venue: Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple, Palappuram, Palakkad |
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The highlight of the daylong pooram at the Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple is a grand procession of 33 gaily caparisoned elephants in the evening.
The pageant is accompanied by the traditional temple percussion ensemble. About 16 well-decorated kuthiras (horse motifs) and eight kaalas (bull motifs) are also brought in a procession to the temple by devotees.
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| Art forms like Vellattu, Poothanum thirayum, Aandi vedan, Karivela, Kumbhamkali (dancing with pots) etc are presented. Tholpavakoothu (shadow puppetry) is conducted on 17 evenings before the pooram. |
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| Malanada Kettukazhcha (On 27 March 2009) |
| Venue: Poruvazhi Malanada Temple, Adoor, Kollam |
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The temple where this festival is held is unique in that it is dedicated to Duryodhana, the enemy of the virtuous Pandavas, heroes of the epic Mahabharata. This is perhaps the only one of its kind in the whole of India.
The festival highlights include various folk art performances, a Kettukazhcha procession and the Kaala vela. The decorated temple chariot is a beautiful sight.
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| Kodungalloor Bharani (On 29 March 2009) |
| Venue: Kodungalloor Bhagavathy Temple, Kodungalloor, Thrissur |
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The Goddess Bhagavathy is the presiding deity of the ancient temple here. The Bharani festival, known for its bawdy songs, attracts the largest congregation of Velichappadu (Revealer of Light) or oracles, both men and women, in the State.
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Nenmara Vallangi Vela (On 03 April 2009) |
| Venue: Thekkinkadu Maidanam in the heart of Thrissur district |
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The Nenmara Vallangi Vela is considered second only to the famous Thrissur Pooram. The festival is a joint invocation to the Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy by the people of the Nenmara and Vallangi villages. Performances of various folk arts like Kummatti, Karivela, Andivela and so on are on show during the festival. On the concluding day of the Vela, 30 caparisoned tuskers stand together in ceremonial splendour under a heavily decorated canopy. |
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| Kadammanitta Padayani (Starts on: 14 April 2009 to Ends on: 21 April 2009) |
Venue: Kadammanitta Devi Temple, Pathanamthitta |
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Kadammanitta is famous for the Padayani performance at the Devi temple. The Padayani the ritual offering to the mother goddess is a burst of colour, energy and passionate devotion.
The festival is celebrated every year from the first day of Malayalam month Medam (Aries) to the 10th day, called the Pathamudayam.
Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla, about 30 km from Pathanamthitta. |
| Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 105 km from Thiruvalla. |
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| Edathua Perunnal (Starts on: 27 April 2009 to Ends on: 07 May 2009) |
| Venue: St. George's Church, Edathua, Alappuzha |
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You may have seen the magnificent churches of Europe and the West, so what is special about this grand old one, set on the banks of the River Pamba in God’s Own Country? The experience will of course be different. The best time to visit here is in April, on the eve of the annual feast of St. George. On this day, the image of the saint, decked in gold is carried out in procession to be placed on the dais at the centre of the basilica. |
| Processions and cultural performances are held everyday including dazzling firework displays in the initial as well as during the concluding days. Another highlight of the festival is the swarming of vendors and stalls in the premises of the church, selling all kinds of things from food items to utensils. Devotees from all parts of the state attend the feast which lasts for one month. |
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| Thrissur Pooram (On: 03 May 2009) |
| Venue: Thekkinkadu Maidanam in the heart of Thrissur district |
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Thrissur Pooram festival is a mammoth spectacle with arrays of thirty caparisoned elephants bedecked with gold ornaments. Each elephant is ridden by three mahouts holding projects symbolizing royalty. As the elephants line up facing each other in two straight rows, still in their disciplined dignity, the ancient resonance of Panchavadyam, the five instruments of conch,cymbals,trumpet and two kinds of drums build up a crescendo. |
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| Kottiyur Festival ( Starts on: 18 May 2009 Ends on: 13 June 2009) |
| Venue: Kottiyur Shiva temple,Kannur |
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Kottiyur is different. You will feel it when you step into the tranquil surroundings of the temple. Set amid a jungle area nourished by river Bavali in Kannur district, the temple is known as the Varanasi of the South. (Varanasi is a religiously prominent town on the shores of river Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The famous Vishwanatha temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva).
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At Kottiyur, there are two temples– Akkare Kottiyur and Ikkare Kottiyur, located on the opposite banks of Bavali river. The 28 days long annual festival here commences on the Chothi asterism in the Malayalam month of Edavam (May-June) and culminates on the Chithira asterism of the Mithunam month (June- July).
The festivities at Kottiyur begin with a sword from the Muthirikavu Temple in Tavinal village being taken to the Ikkare Kottiyur temple. It is believed that this sword was the one with which the mythical character Dakshan was hacked to death by Lord Shiva and is today an object of daily worship at the Muthirikavu Temple. The temple is believed to be located on the spot of the ancient Dakshayaga. |
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| Ochira Kali (Srats on: 15 June 2009 Ends on: 16 June 2009) |
| Venue: Ochira Parabrahma temple, Kollam |
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This festival is one of those events in which you will feel the rustic spirit of Kerala in all its vibrancy. Ochira Kali is held as part of the festival of Ochira Parabrahma temple, Kollam, and commemorates the battle between the kings of Kayamkulam and Ambalappuzha, two erstwhile kingdoms of Kerala. Thousands of people come to see this rural event. Men, both young and old, dressed in colourful attire, step into the waterlogged paddy fields and engage in a dance like mock fight. |
| This is a display of their physical skills as well, with hundereds of onlookers cheering from the sides of the field. Ochira Parabrahma temple is also unique for its having no visible deity. The whole worship here is centered around the concept of Parabrahma or Universal Consciousness. |
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| Champakkulam Boat Race ( On: 06 July 2009) |
| Venue: Champakkulam River, Alapppuzha |
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Get ready for another boat race (vallam kali) season with the exhilarating regatta on the waters of river Champakkulam. The boat race season in Kerala commences with the Champakkulam boat race, held on the Moolam asterism in the Malayalam month of Mithunam (June- July). One of the most popular boat races of Kerala, its highlights are a ceremonial procession on the water, spectacular water floats, decorated boats, and of course, the race of majestic
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| Chundanvalloms (snake boats– so called because the stern resembles the raised hood of a snake), each 100 feet long. |
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| Aanayoottu (On: 16 July 2009) |
| Venue: Vadakkumnatha temple, Thrissur. |
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Visit Vadakkumnatha temple, Thrissur this July and you will witness a very special feast. Any guess? If not, you will be wonderstruck with the sight of tuskers lined up, with men feeding them affectionately. Anayoottu, literally meaning ‘feeding the elephants’ is a ritualistic ceremony which takes place in the famous Vadakkumnatha temple, Thrissur. It is held on the first day of the Malayalam month Karkidakam. |
| The domestic elephants are fed with specially prepared medicinal food which will help to enhance their well-being. The month of Karkidakam, that falls in the monsoon season of Kerala is considered to be the best time for rejuvenation therapies in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. |
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| Nehru Trophy Boat Race (On: 09 Aug 2009) |
| Venue: Punnamada Backwaters, Alappuzha district |
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The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the greatest event on the backwaters of Kerala. The race is held on the second Saturday of August every year. Magnificent snakeboats compete for the prized trophy instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Apart from the races of chundanvalloms (snakeboats) and of smaller country crafts, the event offers many fascinating sights such as ceremonial water processions, spectacular floats and decorated boats. |
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| Manarkad Perunnal (Starts on: 01 Sep 2009 Ends on: 08 Sep 2009) |
| Venue: St. Mary's Church, Manarcad, Kottayam district. |
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The annual eight-day Perunnal or festival at the Manarcad St. Mary’s Church is dedicated to Virgin Mary. It is a time of fasting and prayer. The ritual fast for eight days is locally called Ettu Noyambu. On the last three days, there is a colourful ceremonial procession of devotees carrying a golden cross and brightly coloured parasols.
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| Onam Festival (On: 02 Sep 2009) |
| Venue: The festival of Onam is celebrated throughout the State. |
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Kerala in late August is a dream! Nature in full bloom, festivity in the air, happy people and lots of fun! This is the time of the Onam festival, the festival that every Keralite calls his own.
The celebrations for Onam are on for 10 days, beginning with the Atham day of the Malayalam month of Chingam. Watch Kerala come alive with elephant processions, classical and folk dance performances, music recitals, cultural pageants, boat races and much more! |
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| Payippad Boat Race (On: 04 Sep 2009) |
| Venu: Payippad near Harippad, Alappuzha Districts |
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Apart from the snake boat races, the Payippad boat race also includes extravagant water pageants with floats and decorated boats, classical and folk art performances and so on.
Nearest railway station: Harippad, about 5 km away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha.
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| Pulikali (On: 05 Sep 2009) |
| Venue: Swaraj Round in Thrissur district. |
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The Keralite has always prided himself on his cultural wealth. The art forms of this small State are, by and large, subtle, elegant and highly stylised. But there are times when even the relatively sober Keralite lets his hair down and lives it up!
One such occasion is the annual Pulikali the dance of the tigers at the Swaraj Round, Thrissur. This boisterous dance, a part of the Onam celebrations,
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| is performed by groups of men who paint their bodies to look like tigers. On the fourth day of Onam, 'tigers' from all over Thrissur come to the Swaraj Round in processions to perform a riotous dance. |
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| Aranmula Boat Race (On: 06 Sep 2009) |
| Venue: River Pampa, Aranmula, Chengannur |
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The Aranmula Vallamkali is held during the Onam season. The regatta, celebrated as a grand social event today. In the olden days, vegetables, cereals and other food materials required for the Thiruvonasadya (the grand Onam feast), prepared as a ritual offering at the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple, were brought in a procession of snake boats. It is to commemorate this ritualistic journey that the famous Aranmula vallamkali is conducted.
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| Before the grand procession, the snake boats assemble near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple. Each boat is 100 feet long and accommodates four helmsmen, 100 oarsmen and 25 singers. The boats move in pairs to full-throated singing and shouting, watched by a crowd of hundreds. |
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| Neelamperoor Padayani (On: 18 Sep 2009) |
| Venue: Palli Bhagavathy Temple at Neelamperoor |
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It is held at the precincts of the beautiful temple of Goddess Bhagavathy at Neelamperoor, Kottayam. Padayani, literarily means 'rows of army'. Padayani is the victory march symbolic of that of Goddess Kali after vanquishing Darika. A colourful and spectacular Kettukazcha procession is carried out, with effigies of mythological characters. The procession is conducted at night and in its course towards the temple, it is accompanied by Chendas, drums and cymbals.
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| Parumala Perunnal (On: 02 Nov 2009) |
| Venue: Parumala Church, Pathanamthitta district |
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The annual Perunnal or feast at the Parumala Church
in Thiruvalla is to commemorate the death anniversary of Bishop Mar
Gregorios Metropolitan, the declared saint of the Malankara Orthodox
Church of Kerala. The bishop is interred in the church. During the
Orma Perunnal day or commemorative feast, special prayers are offered
and rituals performed. There is also a ceremonial procession through
the town, attended by devotees from all over the State. more... |
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| Kalpathi Ratholsavam (Starts on: 13 Nov 2009 Ends on: 15 Nov 2009) |
| Venue: Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple, Kalpathi, Palakkad |
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The annual Ratholsavam or chariot festival at the
Sree Viswanatha Swamy temple, dedicated to Lord Viswanatha or Siva,
is one of the most remarkable of the festivals of Kerala. Kalpathi,
an early Tamil Brahmin settlement is also known as Dakshin Kasi or
the Varanasi of the South. During the first four days, Vedic recitals
and cultural programmes are held in the temple, believed to be over
700 years old. On the last three days, thousands of devotes |
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together to draw decorated temple chariots through the streets. more... |
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| Vaikathashtami Festival (On: 09 Dec 2009) |
| Venue: Mahadeva Temple at Vaikom, Kottayam district. |
 | The sacred Ashtami festival of the temple takes
place during the dark lunar fortnight of the Malayalam month Vrischikam
(Sagittarius) which concludes on the Ashtami day. On the Ashtami night,
Thidampu, a symbolic idol of the Lord Siva (known here as Vaikom Mahadeva)
is taken out in procession. On its way, many deities from nearby temples
join the procession. The cultural fare includes classical music and
dance performances including night-long Kathakali performances on
the eighth and ninth days. more...
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| Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy (Starts on: 06 Dec 2009 Ends on: 15 Dec 2009) |
| Venue: Perumthitta near Chandrapuram, Kasaragod district |
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This is also a festival of Theyyams which is one of the oldest art forms in the country. The Perumthitta Theyyam, at which most of the Theyyam forms are on display, is a truly grand affair. The pomp and splendour of the Theyyams are truly breathtaking. |
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| Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasathanam (Starts on: 28 Dec 2009 Ends on: 01 Jan 2010) |
| Venue: Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasthanam, Kasaragod district. |
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Theyyam, the colourful ritual dance of Kerala is one of the oldest art forms of India. It incorporates dance, mime and music and the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures, which attached great importance to the worship of heroes and ancestral spirits. An array of theyyams, the fascinating dance form of Kannur, including Chamundi theyyam, Vishnumoorthy theyyam and so on are presented at this festival.
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