|
Home
>> About Kerala
>> Festivals of Kerala
Festivals
- Kerala
The
colorful mosaic of Kerala fairs and festivals is as diverse as the
land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration, that is an
essential part of the State. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety,
festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Kerala tradition
and culture. Round the year the fests keep Kerala life vibrant and
interludes in the mundane affairs of life.
Every season turns up new festivals, each a true celebration of the
bounties of nature. The festivals exhibits an eternal harmony of
spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions to
clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and
relatives and to exchange gifts.
New attire, dance, music and ritual, all add to their joyful rhythm.
It is a time for prayer, for pageantry and processions and time to
rejoice. The important fairs and festivals in the state are:
Onam - The 10 day festival is kerala's most important
festival, honouring King Mahabali, a mythological king of ancient
Kerala, whose period was reckoned as the golden age in the history
of the state. He was the embodiment of virtues, goodness, so was his
regime which was marked by equality and harmony among people.
Thrissur Pooram - The most spectacular spectacle in the
state. This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the
Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state. Celebrated in Medom (April-May)
the festival parades the fulgent faces of Kerala culture. With every
passing year Tthrissur Pooram, the temple festival, attracts large
masses of devotees and spectators.
Aranmula Uthrittathi
- The famous snake boat carnival on the
Pampa, held annually at Aranmula on the day of Uthrittathi asterism,
in connection with the Onam festival is to commemorate the crossing
of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The deity is supposed to
be in all the boats that take part in the carnival and all of them
are expected to arrive a t their destination simultaneously.
Easter - Is the oldest Christian festival, as old as
Christianity itself. The central tenet of Christianity is not the
birth of Jesus, but his resurrection. Easter is derived from this
paschal mystery and from the events of Good Friday.
Thiruvathira
Festival - The festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in
the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). On thiruvathira
morning, devotees throng Shiva temples for an early worship which is
reckoned as highly auspicious.
Tradition says thiruvathira is celebrating the death of Kamadeva,
the mythological God of Love. According to another version,
Thiruvathira is the birthday of Lord Shiva. The festival has
similarities to adra darshan celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
Idul-Fitr, of late known by the misnomer 'Ramadan' is one of
the two festivals of Islam. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar
year. During this month the Muslims observe fast, giving up all
kinds of food and drink during day time, and spend the major part of
the night in devotion and prayer.
Makaravillakku at Sabarimala - For centuries, Sabarimala in
Pathanamthitta has been a major pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of
devotees from all over India, more so from southern States. The
presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a considered
symbol of unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites. Darma Sastha is
believed to have fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined his
Supreme Self, enshrined at Sabarimala.
Vishu- The
Malayalam new year is celebrated by bursting crackers and going to
temple.
|
