Onam

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest
festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar. Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Government of India has taken due notice of this vibrant and colorful festival. It promotes Onam internationally in a big way and celebrates 'Tourist Week' for Kerala during Onam celebrations. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to be a part of Onam.


Onam Celebrations

Rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival. It is indeed a treat to be a part of the grand carnival. People of Kerala make elaborate preparations to celebrate it in the best possible manner. The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand feast called Onasadya, prepared on Thiruonam. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal.

Another enchanting feature of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river
Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators. There is also a tradition to play games, collectively called Onakalikal, on Onam. Men go in for rigorous sports like Talappanthukali (played with ball), Ambeyyal (Archery), Kutukutu and combats called Kayyankali and Attakalam. Women indulge in cultural activities. They make intricately designed flower mats called, Pookalam in the front courtyard of house to welcome King Mahabali. Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam. Folk performances like Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations.

Vallamkali or Boat Races

This is a typical keralite festival of boat races. It is held in August in the Punnamada Kayal,
which commemorates the visit of former Prime Minister, Late Jawaharlal Nehru to Alleppey.
Similar boat races are held also at Aranmual and Champakulam, which has a religious significance. The later commemorates an episode involving the idol of Sri Krishna, which was lifted from Kurichi by the Chempakasseri Raja's men for consecration in the Ambalapuzha. The idol had to rest in the house of a Syrian Christian at Chempakulam. Therefore, even today the flag and coir rope required for the Chempakulam boat race is supplied from the local Kallurkad Church.

Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July
Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August
Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,
Mannar, Aranmula, and Thiruvandoor near

Vishu

The first month of Malayalam Calendar is Medam (April-May) and the first day of Medam is
celebrated as Vishu, the New Year day. Begin an auspicious day; it is a common belief that
the fortune of the coming year depends on the first day. So the first day begins with
ceremony of Kani Kanal, which literally means first sight. At the dawn, the Malayali's begin
the first day of the Year by waking up in front of Kani. The Kani includes gold ornament,
white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror, flowers of the Konna tree
(Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts, yellow cucumber, and two standing oil
lamps emitting sparkling light their eyes. Another interesting features of this day are
Kaayi neetal where the elder members in the family gift money to the younger ones.

Mahasivarathri

Hindus celebrate Mahasivarathri, all over the world in Kumbam (Feb-March). It
commemorates the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakuda
visham) to save the world from destruction. The offering of special pooja and
abhishekhams, and the presentation of cultural programmes in all the Shiva temples
celebrate the day. The annual Sivarathri festival held on the banks of River Periyar at
Alwaye, is one of the most spectacular local festivals of Kerala, which attracts thousands
of pilgrims from all over the state. It has been compared to the Kumbamela at Prayag.

Navarathri

Literally Navarathri means Nine nights. This festival is celebrated for Navagraha Naayagi
(Nine nymphs). It is called by different names in different parts of India. In Karnataka, it is
called Dasara, in Bengal - Kali Pooja and in this state it is known as Saraswathy Pooja.
Saraswathy is known as goddess of Knowledge. On this day all tools and books are kept
for Pooja. Children who are to begin their schooling are made to write the first alphabet in
rice with their finger.

Asthami Rohini

The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great importance on this day. It is held in
the month of Chingam (Aug- Sept). Devotees visit the Krishna temples where special Pooja
and cultural programmes are held.

Thrikarthiaka

This festival is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (Nov -Dec). Display of light in the
evening is a unique part of the festival.

Thiruvathira

Thiruvathira falls on the month of Dhanu (December-January) and is a women's festival. It
commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the cupid of Hindu mythology. The aim of the
celebration is conjugal harmony and happiness. The dance form Thiruvathirkkali is
associated with this celebration.

Pooram Festival - Meenum (March-April)
Sabarimala Festivals - Vrishikam (November-December)
Ashtami at Vaikom - Kumbham (February-March)
Thrissur Pooram - Medam (April-May)

Christmas

All Christians celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ on 25th Dec. Holy Mass
is held in all the churches in the state. Carol singing, setting up of Christmas tree in all
churches and homes, exchanges of cards and receiving gifts from Santa Claus are all
integral part of the festivities associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. There is a feast in
every Christian home with meat as a special item, and the celebrations of Christmas leave
good memories in every heart.

Easter

This is another important festival of Christians, which commemorates the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. Easter usually falls in March-April, after 40 days lent of fast and penance.
Christians go for mid-night mass, as a memory of the resurrection of Jesus, 2000 years
ago.

St.George's Church, Edathwa - 27 April to 7th May
St.Sebastian's Church, Arathungal - 20th January to 31st January
St George's Church, Aruvithura - 22nd to 24th April
St Thomas Shrine, Malayattur - Last week of March or first week of April
St Mary's Orthodox Church, Manarcad - Sepember 1st to 9th Parumala, Mannar
Maramon Convention

Bakrid

The Bakrid commemorates Ibrahim's (Abhraham) offering of his only son as a sacrifice in
obedience to God's command. The Muslims enjoy hearty feasts on Bakrid day. The rich may sacrifice a he goat or a bullock and distribute it among Frieds, relatives and the poor. The famous Haj is performed after the celebration of Idul Azha.

Idul Fitr

Idul Fitr is celebrated after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when Muslims give up all kind
of food and drink during the day and spend the major part of the night prayer.

Miladi Sharif

Miladi Sharif, celebrated on a large scale in April, Commemorates the birth of the prophet.
This celebration has acquired its present dimensions only in recent times. Previously the
day was observed by the Muslims by reading what is commonly known as Maulud which is
a short treatise in Arabic celebrating the birth, life, work and sayings of the prophet or
some saint.

Muharram

Muharram is another festival celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of Muharram the
forbidden month, which marks the beginning of the Hijra year.

Chandankudam at Beemapally

The Chandankudam at Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most colourful of Muslim festival in Kerala. It is said to be the death anniversary of Beema Beeevi, a devout pilgrim lady who came to Kerala from Mecca. The festival begins on the 1st of Jamadul Akhar of the Hijira Era (October) and lasts ten days. Carrying earthen posts smeared with sandal wood paste and the mouth of the pot tightly closed with a Jasmine garland around the edges, thousands of pilgrims go around the mosque and the hallowed tomb of the devout lady in procession. Then the earthen port with money is placed at the tomb as an offering.