Various Kerala Festivals
|| 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 ||
In Kerala, people of each religion celebrate their festivals with great vibe and color. The festivals are discussed below in brief:
Arthungal Perunal :
Arthungal Perunal is the annual festival of the St. Andrews Forane Church located at Arthunkal near Alappuzha. It is held in January for duration of 10 days. This ten-day festival is celebrated to honor the Saint Sebastian. Thousand of Christian devotees from all over the state visit this church during this festival. The devotees crawling on their knees from the adjacent beach to the church express their gratitude to the Saint. A grand religious procession is taken out on the last day of the festival.
Ashtami at Mahadeva Temple :
The Mahadeva Temple, one of the oldest Shiva temples in Kerala is located at Vaikom. A twelve-day Utsavam is held in this temple during the dark lunar fortnight of Vrischikam, (November-December), the Ashtami falls on the last day. Temple procession is the main feature of this celebration. On the last day, the deities of the nearby temples are brought ceremoniously to this Shiva temple.
Oachira Kettukazhcha :
Oachira is a place of historical importance in Kerala where the battle of Kayamkulam was fought between Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of Travancore and the Raja of Kayamkulam. To commemorate this historical battle, Oachirakkali' is organized here on the first and second of Malayalam month Midhunam (June-July).
Oachirakkali brings pride and glory to Oachira. Both young and old form into two groups and practice the art of fight with swords under the leadership of elder Kalari Asan. It brings out the memory of the battle. This festival is complemented by cattle fair and other celebrations.
Edapalli Perunal :
Edapalli Roman Catholic Church is located on the National Highway (NH 47) in between Ernakulam and Aluva. The annual festival of the church begins on the 23rd of April and the 4th may is the chief ceremony of the feast. The statue of St George is carried on an ornamental chariot in the procession. The main offering at the church is fowl.
Maramon Convention :
Maramon is located on the banks of the River Pampa at a distance of 16 kilometers east of Tiruvalla. It is a centre of Christian culture for centuries. The Maramon convention, the largest Christian gathering in Asia is held here in the month of February on the vast sand beach of River Pampa. Christian devotees from all over the state come to this convention and this acts also a co-operation between the sections of the Kerala churches.
Edathua Perunal :
The Edathua shrine is located on the banks of the Pamba river matches the churches of medieval Europe. The annual feast of the shrine starts on April 27 and concludes on May 7.
Ettumanoor Festival :
Ettumanoor is a place in kerala located at a distance of 12 kilometers from Kottayam town. It has a Shiva temple. Myth says that Pandavas and sage Vyasa worship at this temple. The Shiva temple is considered as one of the richest Devaswom in Kerala and it celebrates a religious festival.
Kodungalloor Bharani :
A Bhagavathi temple is located at Kodungalloor, the ancient capital of Kerala. It is about 20 miles from Ernakulam. The famous Bharani festival is celebrated to mark the triumph of Bhadrakaali over the demon Darika. It falls in the month of Meenan (February-March).
Koratty Feast :
The Old Catholic Church located at Koratty village celebrates a festival namely 'Koratty Muthy's festival in the second week of October. The church is dedicated to Saint Marry.
Malayattoor Perunnal :
Malayattoor Church, a renowned Christian pilgrim center is located at Kurisumudi, a hill of the Western Ghats. Legend says that St Thomas has built seven and half churches in Kerala. Malayattoor Church celebrates the first Sunday after Easter. Pilgrims trek the hill Kurisumudi to visit this holy shrine. A life-size statue of St Thomas is housed in the church and the foot imprint of the apostle is seen on a rock.
Manarkad Perunal :
The Manarkad Church is located in close proximity to Kottayam. Sanctified to St Mary this is a Syrian Jacobite Church. It celebrates 8th day ritual known as 'Ettu Nompu Perunnal'. It commences on the 1st of September. Colorful cultural procession is one of the main features of the festival.
