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Kerala is a land of colourful festivals, which have a
long history and tradition behind them. Kerala's innumerable festivals
however stand out because of their uniqueness. .
Onam
Onam is the most famous festival of Kerala. All Malayali's irrespective of
religion celebrates it. It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam
(Aug-Sept). It is the harvest festival of Kerala. Legend states that Onam is
celebrated as the home coming of Mahabali, the king who ruled over Kerala in
the age of plenty and was pushed down to the infernal regions (Patala) by
Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana.
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Onam is celebrated as a national festival of Kerala. It synchronizes with
the tourist week celebration, which starts formally on the day of Atham
asterism. The image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) is
installed in every Hindu home during the Onam season. Children go around
collecting flowers and decorate them in the front portion of the house in
various designs and patterns. The most important days of the Onam festival
are Uthradom and Thiruvonam days. On the latter, a grand feast is held in
every home. Onam also provides an occasion for family get-together among the
Keralites. It's a perfect example for the religious harmony of the state.
These are the main information about onam Kerala Festival Tour holiday
Packages.
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
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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 neetam where the elder
members in the family gift money to the younger ones. These are the
information about vishu Kerala festival holiday tour packeges.
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.
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.
Alleppey (Allaphuzha) - Boat races
- 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
- Chengannur during Onam festival in Septmeber
- Sivagiri Festival at Varkala ,in the month of Decemeber
- St.George's Church festival in Edathwa from 27 April to 7th May
- St.Sebastian's Churchin, Arathungal from 20th January to 31st January
Ernakulam (Cochin)
- Utram festival at Tripunithura in the month of February
- Sivarathri Festival at Aluva Manappuram in the month of February
- Sankaracharaya Jayanthy in the month of May at Kalady
- St. George Ferona Church Festival at Edappally, in the month of May
- Ashtami at Vaikom in November
- St Thomas Shrine festival at Malayattur in March / April
- Kodikuthu Festival at Kanjiramattom Mosque 25 km from Kochi
Pathanamthitta
- Makara Vilakku Festival at Sabarimala Temple in January
- Pathishtadinam.at Sabarimala in the month of June
- Ochirakali - A festival of martial Arts at Ochira in June
- Madalam Festival at Sabarimala Temple in November
- Madala Pooja at Sabarimala Temple in December
- Annual Parumala Perunnal at Parumala Church, 11 km from Thiruvalla
- Maramon Convention in Maramon- Asia's largest Christian gathering,
in the month of February.
Thrissur (Trichur)
- The Elephant march in the month of January
- Kodiyettu at Guruvayoor in March
- Ashtami Festival & Elephant races at Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor in March
- Thrissur Pooram at Trissur in April
- Arattupuzha Pooram at Arattupuzha Temple in the month of April
- Krishna Jayanthi at Guruvayoor in October
- Ekadasi festival at Guruvayoor in December
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