Theyyam Festival
Kerala, widely recognized as God’s Own Country, boasts breathtaking landscapes, lush greenery, and majestic waterfalls. Yet, beyond its natural allure, Kerala is a vibrant hub of culture and festivals. These famous festivals in Kerala state serve as a vibrant tapestry, drawing global travelers to witness the diverse traditions and celebrations.
The festivals of Kerala, a testament to the state’s unity in diversity, showcase the harmonious coexistence of various cultural and religious communities. Each festival adds a unique charm to Kerala’s cultural landscape, making it an enchanting destination for travelers seeking immersive cultural experiences, from elaborate rituals to colorful processions. One of the highlights of Kerala’s festival calendar is its famous dance performances, preserving the region’s artistic heritage. These captivating performances, steeped in tradition and symbolism, showcase the talent and creativity of Kerala’s people.
Temple festivals, or Utsavams, are integral to Kerala’s cultural fabric. These Kerala main festivals, held at various temples across the state, feature elaborate rituals, vibrant processions, and traditional music and dance performances. They offer a glimpse into Kerala’s deep-rooted spirituality and religious traditions. In addition to traditional festivals, Kerala celebrates secular festivals that foster community unity and celebration. These crucial festivals of Kerala, characterized by feasting, music, and dance, allow people to unite and celebrate their shared heritage and values.
The energy and enthusiasm surrounding festivals in Kerala create an electrifying atmosphere. Whether it’s the colorful processions, rhythmic beats of traditional music, or aroma of local delicacies, Kerala’s festivals offer something for everyone to enjoy. So, if you’re planning a visit to Kerala, plan your trip around one of its major festivals. Whether you’re interested in experiencing vibrant culture, indulging in delicious food, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, Kerala’s festivals will surely leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
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It is a famous festival celebrated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, such as Arudhra Darisanam, in December. The festival is typically dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that on this day, the Lord and the Goddess met for the first time, and He accepted her as a life partner. The festival holds great significance and is undoubtedly auspicious for unmarried women who keep fast on the day of the festival and seek blessings from Lord Shiva for a better life partner. The women perform traditional Thiruvathirakali dance and sing folk songs dedicated to Shiva and Parvati.
Festival Date: 6-Jan-2024
Another beautiful festival of Kerala organized in the sacred temple of Sabarimala, the Makaravilakku Festival, is celebrated on the day of Makar Sankranti, on 15th January, and lasts 7 days—every year. The temple is devoted to the Lord Ayyappa, famously known as Hari Hara Putra, where Hari is Vishnu. Hara is Shiva, and Putra means son. It is believed that Lord Ayyappa brings together the devotees of Lord Shiva and Vishnu on this auspicious day. Witness the grand religious Thiruvabharanam procession dedicated to the deity, followed by folk music, dance, and mythical art performances. The festival ends with the ceremony, Guruthi, where offerings are presented to the Lord.
Festival Date and Duration: 15 Jan 2024
Gaja in Sanskrit translates to elephant, the most revered animal in South India and Kerala, and Mela means fair. Hence, Adoor Gajamela is a fair of elephants. This 10-day festival is held in the Parthasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna. The festival starts at Parthasarathy Temple and ends in Chennapatti temple, located about 3km from Adoor, with a magnificent procession of nine adorned elephants and numerous cultural and traditional performances, including Parichamuttukali- a martial art dance form, Mayooranritham- a peacock’s pose dance, Ammandudam, and much more.
Festival Date: 21-Jan 2024
If you wish to witness the sheer vibrancy and heritage culture of Kerala, then Thaipooyam Mahotsavam is a spiritual festival that is celebrated in honor of Lord Subrahmanya, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, in January. The festival is held in the Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple in the scenic city of Alappuzha. The main attraction of the festival is the ritual dance- the Kavadiyattom. In this colorful dance, devotees wear colorful dresses and hoist peacock feathers on a wooden arch tied to their shoulders during the dancing performance, followed by the grand elephant procession.
Festival Date: 26-Jan-2024
Attukal Pongala is the largest gathering festival of women that holds the Guinness World Record of about 37 lakh women gathered together for a religious festivity to offer Pongala to goddess Bhagavati, the main deity of the festival, at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Trivandrum and now also famous as Sabarimala of Women. This is one of the most awaited festivals by the locals and the devotees to witness Kerala’s rich culture and heritage. The temple organizes the festival in February, the month of Makaram-Kumbham, per the Malayalam calendar. The festival commences with a known ritual, Aduppuvettu, and women prepare sweet porridge with jaggery, coconut, and dry fruits.
Festival Date: 25- Feb 2024
Aluva Sivarathri is the Maha Sivarathri Festival, celebrated at the Aluva Mahadeva Temple in Kochi to honor Lord Shiva. It is one of the most crucial temple festivals in Kerala, which falls during the Malayali month of Kumbam, between February and March every year. Hundreds of devotees pay a visit to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the bank of the Periyar River, where hundreds of priests and visitors gather to worship the deity and fast throughout the day. The rituals are performed starting with Aartis and holy baths, followed by the cultural performances and trade fairs beautifully organized by the locals.
Festival Date: 8-Mar-2024
A religious ceremony in Kerala dedicated to Lord Padmanabhan, celebrated during the Painkuni festival, held in Padmanabaswamy temple. The festival is among the ones that are celebrated twice a year, once during the spring season in March and the other during autumn between October and November. Aarattu translates to holy bath, and on this auspicious day, the temple’s priest takes a holy dip in the river and holds the lord’s idol. The royal family of Travancore organizes the festival in traditional South Indian attire.
Festival Dates: 23-Mar 2024
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this festival is one of the main temple festivals in Kerala, and it is celebrated for 10 days in Sree Krishnaswamy Temple in Alappuzha. It falls in Meenam month, which is in March. Velakali, a traditional martial dance form, is an essential feature of the festival, depicting the fight scenes of Mahabharata between Pandavas and Kauravas. The festivities begin on the first day with the flag hoisting ceremony, known as Kodiyettam, followed by the colorfully decorated processions on the second day of the festival, and end on the 10th day with an Arattu, a holy bath on the Thiruvonam Nakshatra. A ritual feast on Pallivetta day, Ambalapuzha Nadakashala Sadya is served, including ‘paal payasam (rice porridge).
Festival Date: 23-Mar-2024
Also known as Bisu Festival in Karnataka, Vishu Festival is the second most important festival in Kerala, which falls in April. On this day, the devotees decorate their homes, temples, streets, and every corner with colorful Rangolis and flowers. According to legendary folklore, Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur on the day of Vishnu. The festival starts with an auspicious ritual, Vishnu Kani, in which several items like gold, brass, mirror, saffron cloth, cucumber, raw rice, fruits, and oil lamps are offered to signify wealth and prosperity. Later, the whole family gathers for Sadya, a mid-day feast, and fireworks at night.
Festival Date: 14-Apr-2024
This is one of the most colorful temple festivals in Kerala. Being celebrated for over two centuries, Thrissur is celebrated in Vadakkunnathan temple annually on the day of Pooram, which falls in April according to the Lunar Calendar. The grand celebration commences with a flag hoisting ceremony, magnificent processions on giant elephants ornate from head to toe, and lit fireworks all night. According to the Malayalam calendar, the festival occurs in the month of Medam, when the Pooram star witnesses the moon’s rise. The 12 temples join together to celebrate this 8-day-long, most colorful festival in Kerala, depicting the core culture of the state.
Festival Date: 19 Apr 2024
Dating back to the Dravidian age, almost 800, this is the most celebrated dance festival in Kerala. This annual festival is organized at Kuttikol Thampuratty Theyyam temple near Kasargod. For 10 days, the town praises the Dance Gods and ancestral spirits by performing over 400 traditional dance forms with folk music, costumes, make-up, and acts. Theyyam Festival is celebrated in more than 100 regions of Kerala, including Karivallor, Kurumathoor, Ezhom, and Nileswaram, between October and May every year. Raktha Chamundi, Kari Chamundi, Bhagavati, Gulikan, and Pottan are the major Theyyam dance performances that showcase the power of gods and goddesses.
Festival Date: May to October 2024
Karkidaka Vavu Bali is a traditional Hindu ritual observed in Kerala to pay homage to ancestors. It falls during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam (August). During this time, people visit riverbanks and perform special rituals to offer prayers and food to departed souls. It is believed to bring peace and prosperity to the family and is essential to Kerala’s cultural and religious heritage. This solemn occasion fosters a sense of unity and reverence among families as they honor their ancestors’ memories.
Festival Date: 04-Aug-2024
A 10-day Onam festival is the most critical and world-renowned festival in Kerala. It hosts several religious and cultural activities, and one of the most popular among them is the Kerala Boat Race, which is organized in August during the monsoon season when the flow and depth of backwaters increase in and around Alleppey. Chundam Vallam, the snake boats, are the main attraction of these races. The boats are carefully crafted 100-120 feet-long canoes made of wood known as Anjini Thadi. Many tourists visit Kerala during this festival to witness the impeccable race with 100 rowers in each boat. To encourage, the rowers sing a hymn in Malayalam during the race, an event known as Vanchipattu.
Festival Date: 10 Aug 2024
The oldest boat race festival in Kerala, celebrated during Onam every year in the Kozhencherry village of Aranmula. The festival is celebrated enthusiastically in Sri Parthasarathy Temple, which is about 1700 years old and dedicated to Lord Krishna and brave Arjuna. It is situated on the banks of the Pampa River. The festival falls on September, the day of Uthrittathi nakshatra, according to the Malayali calendar. The snake boats, called Palliyodams, are rowed for this race. The ship carries about 100 men rowing to win and singing Malayali ritual songs.
Festival Date: 8-Sep-2024
Want to witness Kerala in its complete awe? Well, Onam is one such important state festival of Kerala and is celebrated for 10 days to honor the arrival of King Mahabali and Vamana (lord Vishnu’s impersonation). The festival falls at the beginning of Malayali Chingam month, in September, which marks Kerala’s harvest season. The entire state gets drenched in the festive spirit with folk music, dance, cultural rituals, boat races, and mouth-watering food. On the primary day of Thiru Onam, the festival is completed with Onam Sadhya, a customary vegetarian feast with 25-26 dishes served during lunch.
Onam Festival Dates and Duration: 15 Sep 2024
Pulikali, also known as the Tiger Dance Festival, is a unique folk art form celebrated mainly in the Thrissur district of Kerala. During this festival, performers paint themselves as tigers and enact scenes from tiger hunts and jungle life. The vibrant and colorful performances attract spectators from far and wide, making it a significant cultural event in Kerala. It’s a lively and energetic celebration showcasing the local community’s creativity and spirit.
Festival Date: 15-Sep -2024
Almost half of Kerala’s population belongs to the Christian community, making Christmas a vital festival in the state. We all know how the festival of Jesus Christ is celebrated worldwide, though lush greenery, rolling hills, and serene surroundings of Kerala work like magic during the festival. The churches and homes are decorated with fancy lights, and people at home decorate a Christmas tree together, prepare delicious cuisines, visit the church, and attend Christmas mass to greet and wish each other. There are beautiful performances in the church depicting the life and afterlife of Jesus and singing Christmas Carols and hymns. Don’t forget to taste a traditional plum cake with home-brewed wine.
Festival Date: 25-Dec-2024
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