Kerala, a state in the southwestern tip of India, is a land of culture and festivals. Festivals are a way to know the culture and heritage of an area. Kerala, often referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’, is not just blessed with beautiful green hills but also with rich cultural diversity. In this blog, we introduce you to some famous festivals in Kerala starting with Onam, Boat Race, Theyyam, Vishu, and many more.

Onam:

One of the most awaited festivals in Kerala. This 10-day-long festival is celebrated to mark the homecoming of the legendary king Mahabali. There was an interesting story behind this festival. According to the mythological story, Devas sent Vamana (Lord Vishnu in the form of dwarf Brahmin) to earth. Then Vamana asked King Mahabali for three feet of land as a wish. After measuring the entire universe with two feet, leaving no space for the third one. Then King Mahabali offered Vamana his head to place his third foot. Witnessing the king’s generosity, Vamana granted the king’s wish to visit his land once every year. This is how ‘Onam’ started in Kerala to celebrate the homecoming of King Mahabali every year.

It is a state festival of Kerala. Onam is also celebrated as a harvest festival. According to the Malayalam calendar, It falls in the month of Chingam. However, according to the Gregorian calendar it overlaps with August-September. This 10-day-long festival includes many fun activities. Vallam Kali (also known as Boat race), Pulikkali (tiger dance), and Pookalam (flower rangoli) are some of the activities in Onam.

Boat race in Kerala:

 Vallam Kali, also known as snake boat race, is a form of canoe racing that uses paddled war canoes. Although, this race is conducted during Onam, is worth mentioning individually. It is one of the major events in festivals in Kerala and a major tourist attraction. About 30-35 meter (100-120 foot) long boat along with 64 or 128 paddlers is used in this race. It is one of the world-famous events. The snake boats, the eminent highlight of the race, are also called Chundan Vallams.

Theyyam: 

With more than 400 types of cultural dances, Theyyam consists of traditions, rituals, and customs associated with temples and sacred groves of Malabar. Being a popular ritual art form of Kolathunadu, it is mainly performed in the kavus(temple) or ancestral houses of Thiyyar, Nambiar, Vaniyar, and Maniyani communities. Local people also consider Theyyam as a channel to God. In fact, there are about 456 types of Theyyams present. Although theyyam is mainly performed by males, Devakkoothu is the only theyyam ritual performed by women.

Undoubtedly, Theyyam is one of the famous festivals in Kerala. In fact, the word ‘Theyyam’ came from Daivam(which means God). It may have its origin in ancestor worship. A vast majority of Theyyam deities have their origin from lower caste people in Kerala’s caste system. Later, the ancestor worship ritual evolved into this dance ritual incorporating many other local beliefs.

Vishu:

 Being the traditional new year in Kerala, this festival is celebrated by preparing Vishu Kani. People of Kerala prepared colourful auspicious items(vishu kani) and started their day by viewing these as the first thing on the Vishu day. Vishu falls on the first day of the month of Medam in the Malayalam calendar (April 14 or 15 according to the Gregorian calendar).

The meaning of ‘Vishu’ comes from Sanskrit ‘Visuvam’ which means ‘Equal’. On this day of Vishu Lord Vishnu and his incarnation Lord Krishna are worshipped here.

Thrissur Pooram Festival:

 Thrissur Pooram festival is one of the famous festivals in Kerala. This festival has a long history of more than 200 years. It is an annual Hindu temple festival held in Thrissur, Kerala. In the month of Medam when the moon rises with the Pooram star, this festival starts in Vadakkunnathan(Shiva) temple.

This festival has an interesting history itself. Before 1798, the largest temple festival in Kerala was Arattupuzha Pooram. But in 1798, due to incessant rains, the temples from Thrissur were late for the Arattupuzha Pooram and were denied for Pooram procession. After this embarrassing incident, they unified the 10 temples situated around Vadakkunnathan Temple and organized Thrissur Pooram as a mass festival. The most unique feature of this festival is that they make everything fresh every year from scratch.

Attukal Pongal:

  A 10-day-long religious festival, Attukal Pongal is one of the famous festivals in Kerala. This festival marks the largest annual gathering of women by Guinness World Records. On the ninth day of this festival, there is a huge gathering of millions of women in the temple surroundings. Then, these women prepare a divine food(made of rice) in earthen pots and offer those foods to Attukal Amma(goddess of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple).

The entire area of the temple and its roads, at the time of this festival, are filled with sweet smells of customary rice prepared by women. On prefixed time, women light the ritual fires for the preparation of Sweet customary rice, on the signal of the main priest of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. In the evening, the ceremony is concluded by an aerial showering of flowers, and by sprinkling of holy waters. With this festival, everyone celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Makaravilakku:

 Another religious festival in Kerala is Mlaravilakku. This festival is an annual festival celebrated in the famous Sabarimala Temple on Makara Sankranti (In January). On this auspicious day, devotees from all over India gather at Ayyappa swami temple in Sabarimala for Makara Vilakku darshan and Makara Jyoti.

Lord Ayyappa, also called Ayappa Swami, is the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini(the female form of Lord Vishnu). The preparation of the Makaravilakku starts two months prior. It starts from the first day of Vrichikam month (mid-November-December) of the Malayalam calendar. According to the beliefs of the devotees, Ayyappa swami fulfills their wishes and it is a life-changing festival. Moreover, this festival is not only celebrated by the people of Kerala but also by the other states of India as well. This festival is undoubtedly one of the most famous festivals in Kerala.

These festivals in Kerala are some of the famous ones. However, there are a lot of other festivals in Kerala. Some of the other worth mentioning festivals are Navaratri, Maha Shivaratri, Deepavali, Arattupuzha Pooram, Aranmula boat race etc. Moreover, Kerala is no less than a paradise and the excitement during its festivals is worth an experience.