Kerala hosts almost all Hindu, Christian and Muslim festivals with the same enthusiasm and charm. Festivals of Kerala are famous also because they involve various aspects of day to day life such as temple, boat, bamboo etc.
Onam
This festival is celebrated between the month of August and September and is also known as harvest festival of Kerala. Tiger Play, Flower Rangoli, Thumbi Thullal and Onasadya are the major attractions to enjoy while enjoying this 10 day colourful festival. This frolic festival of 10 days is mostly celebrated in the period of monsoon where tourists, along with the colours of festival, can also enjoy the frizzy rains of Kerala.
Vishu
Malayali begin this day by looking to “Kani-Kanal” which is prepared previous night and offered to garlanded deity of Krishna. The festival’s major attractions are the fire crackers, payassam and vishu kanji.
Thrissur Pooram Festival
Thrissur Pooram is one of the famous temple festivals in Keralaand has been celebrated for more than 200 years. This festival is celebrated at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur yearly and is celebrated for almost 36 hours with traditional puja, ending with extreme fireworks. The festival is celebrated to worship Lord Shiva and involves colour, music and religion.
Theyyam
The performer goes through three stages of learning: first stage is of adorning themselves with colours, flowers and mask; second stage involves self-torture and the third stage is all about dancing on a rhythm. This festival is celebrated with huge fun which brings the new level of pleasure in the life of the attendees.
Kerala Boat
Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alleppey, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race at Alappuzha, Vallam Kali at Punnamada Lake and PayippadJalotsavam at PayippadLake located at a distance of 35 km from the district Alappuzha.
Attukal Pongala
The festival is all about offering ‘Pongala’ to Attukal Devi, a deity whose temple is located very close to the Thiruvananthapuram City. Attukal Devi is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati.
Temple Festivals
The major attractions of these temple festivals are bejewelled elephants, drummers playing music and fireworks. One can also enjoy classical music and dance performances which take place widely while celebrating different temple festivals in Kerala.
Makaravilakku
The idol of Lord Ayyappa is worshipped in the famous Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala. You will find numerous devotees worshipping together and taking part in the celebrations of Makara Vilakku festival annually.
Elephant Pageants
Paripally Gajamela has the popular and unique elephant pageant that is held as a part of annual festival at Kodimootil Sree Bhadrakaali Temple in Paripally, Kerala.
Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is a martial art which originated as a style in Kerala.
Kathakali
Kathakali is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion.
