Fairs in Kerala
Thrissur Pooram
This festival held at Thekinkadu Maidan at Thrissur in the month of May
Highlights -
» Pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants assembled in
the precincts of the vadakumnathan temple.
» The nearby paramekavu and thiruvambadi temples
are also participants in the festival.
» Kudamattam (changing of umbralla from hands to
hands)
» Chendamelain (kind of drums)
» Panchavadyam (five typical instruments played)
» Spectacular fireworks display
Onam
The Harvest Festival - Onam
Onam, the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival
that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural
repertoire of every Malayalee.
It brings back nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore, of
a bygone Utopian era of prosperity, equality and righteousness, under the
golden reign of Mahabali. Year after year, for centuries, the people of
Kerala, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, join together to welcome
back their vanquished king. The ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September,
coinciding with the beginning of the harvest season.
Rajiv Gandhi Boat Race
The event is a memorial to the former prime minister.
Highlights -
» Colourful water procession
» Water floats
» Boat races
Makaravilakku
Makaravilakku at sree dharamasastha temple, sabarimala. This is one of the
few occasions when the temple is open to the public.
Highlights -
» On the evening of makara sankranthi, the makara
vilakku/makara jyothi ( the light of kakara) is believed to be seen on the
eastern horizon. Thousands of pilgrims gather here to witness the event.
» Special devotional rites
» Devotees are decreed to practise severe austerities
and total abstinence for 60 days before climbing the hills to the temple.
Maramom Convention
16 km from thiruvalla, pathanamthitta, on the banks of river pamba in february,
every year.
Highlights -
» Considered the largest gathering of christians
in asia.
» Bible study and discourses by scholars from india
and abroad.
» Religious readings
» Hymnals
» Faith healing sessions
» People arrive in country crafts (valloms)
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most famous of the boat races of Kerala. This
annual regatta is held on the Punnamada Backwaters of Alappuzha district
on the second Saturday of August.
The event is a commemoration of the visit to this place by the late Prime
Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1952.
The spectacular races features magnificent snake boats or 'Chundans'. The
boisterous and rhythmic boat songs or Vanchipattu work the spectators to
a state of frenzy.
Indira Gandhi Boat Race
Indira Gandhi Boat Race is a grand fest on the rolling backwaters of Kochi.
Conducted in the last week of December, it is a fitting finale to the Tourism
Fair, which attracts travellers from all parts of the globe.
The sixteen majestic snake boats racing neck to neck in gaiety and competition
to the sky-rending cheers of the multitudes, is a unique sight. The coveted
trophy of the race was instituted in memory of Indira Gandhi, the late Prime
Minister of India.
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated with equal enthusiasm by all communities in kerala.
Highlights -
» Stars decorate houses right from the second week
of december.
» Christmas trees, decoration and festive music ring
through the state.
» Midnight mass and special rites at all christian
churches.
» Social and cultural events.
» Fireworks and colourful illuminations.
Deepavali
Another national festival. Deepavali means the festival of lights. There
are many legends connected with the festival. Some say that it is a celebration
of sree krishna's victory over the demon narakasura; others hold that it
is the day sree rama returned from exile.
Highlights -
» All houses are lit with rows and rows of small
earthern oil lamps.
» Special devotional rites to lakshmi. The goddess
of prosperity.
» Entire day of merrymaking and feasting.
» Distribution of special deepavali sweets.
» Fireworks and crackers.
Aranmula Vallamkali
10 km from chengannur. This traditional boat race conducted at sree parthasarathy
temple, aranmula in connection with the onam celebrations is more of a water
fiesta than a competition.
Champakulam Boat Race
This is one of the most popular boat races of kerala.
Highlights -
» Pceremonial water procession.
» Spectacular water floats.
» Decorated boats.
» Vanchipattu (folk song of the oarsmen) The chundanvallom
(snake boat, over 100 feet in length, with a Raised prow similar to the
hood of a snake) race.
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Beaches of South India
Duration : 14 Nights - 15 Days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kollam - Verkala - Kovalam - Trivandrum |
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