Top Festivals in Kerala

Experience the Vibrant Culture of Kerala Through its Festivals

When it comes to celebrating life with fervor and enthusiasm, Kerala undoubtedly stands out from the rest of the states in India. The southernmost state of India is known for its rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its diverse festivals and celebrations. Every festival in Kerala has a unique charm and significance that showcases the state’s rich history, traditions, and beliefs. Whether it’s Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram or any other festival, the celebrations in Kerala are a sight to behold.

Onam Festival 🌺

Onam is the biggest and most popular festival in Kerala, celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, who is believed to visit his subjects during this time. The celebrations last for ten days, with a grand feast called ‘Onam Sadhya’ on the last day. The festival is marked by various cultural events, such as boat races, elephant processions, and traditional dances.

Vishu Festival 🌞

Vishu is celebrated in Kerala as the Hindu New Year and is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. The festival is celebrated with traditional rituals and customs, such as ‘Vishukkani’ (first sight), where the first thing a person sees on the day of Vishu is considered to be auspicious for the rest of the year. The festival is also marked by firework displays, traditional meals, and cultural events.

Thrissur Pooram Festival 🐘

Thrissur Pooram is one of the most popular and vibrant festivals in Kerala, held in the town of Thrissur. The festival is known for its grand elephant procession, which is accompanied by traditional music and dance performances. The festival is a celebration of the union of two temples, and thousands of people from all over the world visit Thrissur to witness this spectacular event.

Attukal Pongala Festival 🕯️

Attukal Pongala is a unique festival celebrated only by women in Kerala, where they offer a sweet dish called ‘Pongala’ to the goddess Attukalamma. The festival is held in the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram and is considered to be the largest gathering of women in the world. Millions of women participate in this festival every year, making it a spectacular and grand event.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race 🚣

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of the most famous and popular festivals in Kerala, held annually in the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. The festival is a celebration of the traditional boat races in Kerala and is a sight to behold. The race is marked by colorful boats, rowers in traditional attire, and music performances.

Chettikulangara Bharani Festival 🐍

The Chettikulangara Bharani Festival is held in the Chettikulangara Devi Temple in Alappuzha and is a celebration of the goddess Bhagavathi. The festival is known for its unique rituals and customs, such as ‘Kuthiyottam’ (a ritualistic dance), and ‘Kettukazhcha’ (a procession of giant effigies). The festival is a grand celebration of the goddess’s power and is attended by thousands of devotees every year.

Thiruvathira Festival 🌸

The Thiruvathira Festival is a celebration of love and devotion towards Lord Shiva, celebrated by women in Kerala. The festival is marked by traditional dances, such as ‘Thiruvathirakali,’ where women dance around a lamp in a circular formation. The festival is a celebration of femininity and is an integral part of Kerala’s cultural heritage.

Onam 🌺

Onam is the biggest and most popular festival in Kerala, celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, who is believed to visit his subjects during this time. The celebrations last for ten days, with a grand feast called ‘Onam Sadhya’ on the last day. The festival is marked by various cultural events, such as boat races, elephant processions, and traditional dances.

Pulikali Festival 🐅

The Pulikali Festival is a unique festival celebrated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, where people paint themselves as tigers and perform a traditional dance called ‘Pulikali.’ The festival is a celebration of freedom and is marked by colorful performances and lively music.

Arattupuzha Pooram Festival 🐘

The Arattupuzha Pooram Festival is celebrated in the Sree Sastha Temple in Thrissur and is a celebration of the union of deities. The festival is known for its grand elephant procession, where elephants from various temples are brought together in a colorful and vibrant display of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage.

Champakulam Boat Race 🚣

The Champakulam Boat Race is one of the oldest and most traditional boat races in Kerala, held in the Champakulam village in Alappuzha. The festival is a celebration of the river, and the race is held in traditional boats called ‘Chundan Vallams.’ The race is a spectacle to behold, with rowers in traditional attire and colorful boats.

Makaravilakku Festival 🕯️

The Makaravilakku Festival is celebrated in the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala and is a celebration of Lord Ayyappa. The festival is marked by the lighting of a huge lamp called ‘Makaravilakku,’ which is believed to be a divine manifestation of Lord Ayyappa. The festival is attended by millions of devotees from all over the world.

Thaipooyam Festival 🌕

The Thaipooyam Festival is celebrated in the Subramanya Temple in Palani, and is a celebration of Lord Murugan. The festival is marked by traditional dances, such as ‘Kavadiyattam,’ where devotees carry colorful ‘Kavadis’ on their shoulders as an offering to the lord. The festival is a grand celebration of faith and devotion.

Unique FAQ’s about Top Festivals in Kerala

1. When is Onam Festival celebrated in Kerala?

Onam Festival is celebrated in Kerala during the Malayalam month of Chingam, which falls between August and September every year.

2. What is the significance of Vishu Festival in Kerala?

Vishu Festival is celebrated in Kerala as the Hindu New Year and is considered to be an auspicious time for new beginnings and fresh starts.

3. What is the Thrissur Pooram Festival known for?

The Thrissur Pooram Festival is known for its grand elephant procession, which is accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.

4. How is Attukal Pongala Festival celebrated in Kerala?

Attukal Pongala Festival is celebrated by women in Kerala, where they offer a sweet dish called ‘Pongala’ to the goddess Attukalamma. The festival is held in the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

5. What is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Kerala?

The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a traditional boat race held annually in the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, Kerala.

6. When is the Chettikulangara Bharani Festival celebrated in Kerala?

The Chettikulangara Bharani Festival is celebrated in the Chettikulangara Devi Temple in Alappuzha, Kerala, during the Malayalam month of Kumbham.

7. What is the Thiruvathira Festival in Kerala?

The Thiruvathira Festival is a celebration of love and devotion towards Lord Shiva, celebrated by women in Kerala.

8. What is the significance of Pulikali Festival in Kerala?

Pulikali Festival is a unique festival celebrated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, where people paint themselves as tigers and perform a traditional dance called ‘Pulikali.’

9. When is the Arattupuzha Pooram Festival celebrated in Kerala?

The Arattupuzha Pooram Festival is celebrated in the Sree Sastha Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, during the Malayalam month of Meenam.

10. What is the significance of Champakulam Boat Race in Kerala?

Champakulam Boat Race is one of the oldest and most traditional boat races in Kerala, held in the Champakulam village in Alappuzha.

11. What is the Makaravilakku Festival in Kerala?

The Makaravilakku Festival is celebrated in the Sabarimala Temple