Muslim Festivals in Kerala
|| Kerala Festival || Aaranmula Boat Race || Attukal Pongala || Christmas in Kerala || Deepavali in Kerala || Easter in Kerala || Maha Shivaratri in Kerala || Muslim Festivals in Kerala || Nehru Trophy Boat Race || Onam Festival || Arattu at Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple || Pooram festival || Sabarimala Pilgrimage || Thiruvathira in Kerala || Various Kerala Festivals || Vishu Festival ||
The Muslim community of Kerala also celebrates their religious festivals. The main festivals are :
Bakrid :
It is a festival celebrated by the Muslim people of the state. Bakrid marks the Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his only son in obedience to God’s command. Grand feast is arranged by the families. After the celebration of idul Azha, haj is performed. This feast of sacrifice is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Dhu'l Hijja. The celebration by the Muslim families symbolizes the sacrifice of the Muslim pilgrims at Mina.
Ramadan :
Ramadan is a month falls in the ninth month of lunar year. The Muslim keeps fast and at a particular time they break their fast. At night they worship God. The main observance of Roja month is for purification of body and soul.
At the end of the fasting month, Idul-Fitr festival is celebrated. The Idul-Fitr festival begins at the first day of the month of 'Shawwal'. From old to children all wear new clothes and proceed to the Mosque. After mosque congregation they visit friends and relatives. Muslims invite the Hindus and people of all religion to visit their home during ID.
Miladi Sherif :
Like all Muslims the Muslims of Kerala also celebrate the birth of the Mohammed, Prophet of Islam who was born on the 20th April 571 AD. The common ritual of the day is that people read the short biography of the Prophet on this day. There is another practice seen in Kerala in relation with this festival. Night lectures on various subjects of enlightenment are organized on the firs twelve days of the month.
Chandanakudam at Beemapally :
The Chandanakudam festival celebrated at Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram is a colorful Muslim festival in Kerala. This festival marks the death anniversary of a devout Muslim pilgrim lady namely Beema Beevi who from the Muslim holy pilgrimage site Mecca came to Kerala.
The festival commences on the 1st of Jamadul Akhar of the Hijira Era (October) and it lasts for ten days. The pilgrims carry an earthen pot tightly covered with a Jasmine garland on the edges. They go around the tomb of the devout lady and last place the pot at the tomb as an offering.
