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Welcome to wonderful world blessed with breathtakingly beautiful backwaters, serene palm-fringed lovely beaches, green-carpeted rolling hills and superb scenic beauty of Indian state of Kerala....
Kerala popularly known as "Gods own country", state named as one of top ten paradise of the world and one of the 50 must see destinations of a lifetime by National Geographic Traveler.
Kerala festivals
Kerala
is a land of colorful festivals and fairs, which are inherited from an age
old tradition that exudes the essence of Kerala. Kerala, God’s Own Country
is a paradise of mind blowing cultural festivals. Enjoy the magic colors of
Kerala festivals. Some of the popular festivals of Kerala are….
Onam is the most popular of Kerala’s festivals ranging from 4 days to 10
days. But, there is a lot more to Onam than being just a festival. Onam
reflects the faith of the people of Kerala. It honors Mahabali, a selfish
ruler whose subjects so content that envious gods tricked him into losing
his life and kingdom. His last wish was to visit his people once a year to
ensure that they were happy. During Onam, an aura of plenty is created to
gladden Mahabali’s heart. Great feasts are prepared, new clothes worn, and
courtyards are decorated with floral patterns. The renowned snake boat races
are held at this time.
The annual snake boat races are usually held during the second week of
August. Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest
festival in August/September. The 50 m long wooden boats, each powered by
over 100 oarsmen, attract the star attention as they slice through the
waters - revived by songs and war cries - cheered by thousands of spectators
line up the banks to cheer the huge black crafts as they slice through the
waters to a spectacular finish.
Vishu is the first day of the Malayali New Year. It is believed that looking
upon a group of auspicious objects at dawn ensures a year of peace and
prosperity. 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 feature of this day
is Kaayi neetal where the elder members in the family gift money to the
younger ones.
Pooram is the festival of festivals. Pooram is a remarkable event when the
gods and goddess arrive on splendidly adorned tuskers for a celebration. The
festival is a spectacle of magnificence and majesty. Ten to hundred
caparisoned tuskers stand in front of the temple premises with the mahouts
atop holding ornate silk umbrellas, white tufts and peacock feather fans,
all swaying to the rhythm of the music. Some of the main Pooram celebrations
are at are Aratupuzha, Thrissur, Uthralikavu, Cheeramkulangara,
Pariyanampetta, Mannarkad, Perumanam, Aryankavu, Mangottu, Medamkulangara,
Kodikal, Thirumandhamkunnu etc. Thrissur Pooram is most famous among them,
is the ceremonial procession of two devis (goddesses) on caparisoned
elephants to the Vadakunnathan Temple. The parasols held above the elephants
are changed in an exciting synchronized ritual, accompanied by chendamelan,
an orchestra of percussion instruments. A display of fireworks marks the
climax.