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| KERALA FESTIVALS |
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Kerala has a number of festivals, mostly related with their religious institutions. A showcase to the traditional lifestyle and performing arts of Kerala, these festivals are characterized by vibrant music and dance, elaborate elephant processions and amazing fireworks. There are Utsavas of the Hindu temples and also the Perunals of Christian and Muslim churches that are celebrated with same enthusiasm and festivity along with the most famous occasions of the boat races, which have acquired an
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| important place in the lives of Keralites. Here, we have covered the major events of the region. |
| Onam |
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Onam is the most important and popular festival of Kerala. Onam is celebrated with lots of fervor and gaiety. All Malayalis, irrespective of their religion, celebrate Onam. It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala. According to legends, Onam is celebrated to commemorate the home coming of Mahabali, the king who ruled over Kerala in the age of plenty and was pushed down to the Patala by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana. The image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) is installed in every Hindu home during the Onam |
celebration. Children go around collecting flowers and decorating them in the front portion of their houses in different designs and patterns. Onam festival is an example of religious harmony and provides for family get-together. |
| Navratri |
The Navratri celebration is known by different names in different parts of India. It is Durga Puja of Bengal, Dussehra of Bombay and the Saraswati Puja and the Ayudha Puja of the south. The Navratri festival runs over 9 days. The last three days of navratri are most important. The last three days are known as Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijaya Dasami. On the night of the Durga Ashtami day, there is the ceremony known as 'Puja Vayppu'. It involves decorating a room superbly, illuminating it with many lights and arranging on a platform, raised in the middle of the room, the things
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| necessary for performing Saraswati Puja. During the last three days of Puja, all sorts of learning and business come to a stand still. |
| Vishu |
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It is one of the important festivals of Kerala. Vishu is celebrated in the month of April. According to the old traditional Malayalam calendar it is the 1st day of the New Year. The main event of the Vishu celebration is the 'Kani- Kanal'. Coconuts, fruits, cereals and Konna flowers are kept in big pots to prepare Kani. Behind this pot, a mirror and a garlanded statue of Krishna are kept. Early morning on the Vishu day, the master of the house sees the Kani and then the rest of the family follows. Children's are brought
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blind folded to see the Kani. The elders in the family give money to the youngsters andbless them. According to the local beliefs, if we you Kani good luck will stay with you till the year end.
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| Bakrid |
Bakrid commemorates the sacrifice of Ibrahim in obedience to God's command. Bakrid is an important festival of Kerala. Muslims enjoy hearty feasts on Bakrid day. Many rich people sacrifice goats and distribute them among friends, relatives and the poor, to mark the occasion.
Idul Fithr
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Idul Fitr/Eid 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. Since Kerala has a substantial population of Muslims, Idul Fitr/Eid is an important celebration.
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| Christmas |
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Christmas, celebrates on December 25 every year is held to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The most significant of Christian festivals, Christmas is time for joyous celebrations and festivity. Christmas is marked by the presence of the Christmas Tree, Christmas Star and Christmas Cake. And of course, who can forget Santa Claus?
Christmas tree is a new feature in Kerala, perhaps less than sixty or seventy years old. On this the priests hold mass in churches of Kerala three times starting with the
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first at midnight. Just before the midnight mass, an image of the Child is brought by the priest, preceded by rows of Children holding lighted candles that are placed in the crib. The hymn 'Gloria in exelcis Deo' is sung amidst the explosion of crackers. In Kerala, Christmas retains its homeliness in a manner and style, which is quite unknown in the west making the celebrations even more beautiful. |
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