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  Kerala Festivals

The colorful picture of Kerala fairs and festivals is as various as the land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an essential part of the State. Observed with fervor 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.

Onam:

The 10 day Onam festival is kerala's most important festival, honouring King Mahabali, a fabulous king of ancient Kerala, whose period was reckoned as the golden era in the history of the state. He was the embodiment of virtues,goodness, so was his rule which was marked by equality and harmony among people.

Thrissur Pooram:

The most spectacular spectacle in the state. This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state.Celebrated in April-May the festival parades the fulgent faces of Kerala culture. With every passing year Tthrissur Pooram, the temple festival, attracts large masses of devotees and audience.

Aranmula Uthrittathi:

The famous snake boat parade on the Pampa, held annually at Aranmula on the day of Uthrittathi asterism, in link with the Onam festival is to celebrate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The deity is supposed to be in all the boats that take part in the carnival and all of them are expected to arrive a t their destination concurrently.

Easter:

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.

Thiruvathira Festival:

The festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu. On thiruvathira morning, devotees throng Shiva temples for an early worship which is reckoned as highly favorable.

Vishu:

Vishu fall ont he first of medam,which is the keralians new year.since is considered propitious to view good thing on this day for year round good fortune,vishu morning is an Important thing In kerala.

Attukal Pongala:

Attukal Pongala this is the one and the only temple festival in the world where lakhs of women assembled together to make contributions by cooking a pudding for the goddess in the Attukal temple. It is taken home after the chief priest of the temple will come and sprinkle the holy water and will shower the flowers. This festival will come to an end in the evening with a march from the temple.

Theyyam:

Theyyam is one of the popular festivals of Kerala. It is the worship of the deity; on the other hand, the dancer is also the deity. Theyyam celebrates primarily the Mother Goddess. Animals, serpents and trees also figure in worship.

Christmas:

With a large number of Christian population in Kerala, Christmas is a festival that is celebrated with much vigour and enthusiasm in the state. Easter is also an important festival in the state. The numerous churches that are spread

across the state brighten up around this time.

Makaravillakku:

For centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre in Kerala attracting lakhs of devotees from all over India, more so from the southern states. The presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a considered symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites.