Fairs & Festivals of India 2011

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Fairs & Festivals of Kerala 2011

January

01 - New Year Day
02 - Thirunelli temple chuttuvilakku (Wayanad), Feast of St Francis Xavier, Goa
06 - Feast of three kings, Goa
07 - Suchindram Therottam / Car festival (near Nagarkovil) comes in the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec/Jan).
10 - Erumeli chandanakudam festival (Kottayam)
11 - Erumeli Petta thulllal
12 - Tiruabharana khosha yatra begins from Panthalam temple
13 - Kanjiramattom Urs (13th & 14th Jan every year), Kottayam flower show (up to 16th).
14 - Sabarimala Makara vilakku: Video (Pathanamthitta), Gujarat kite festival at Ahmedabad
15 - Thypongal (Bull fight/Jellikettu at Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore)
16 - Adoor Parthasarathy temple Gajamela, Mahe Ganapati temple Chariot festival.
17 - Madurai Chariot festival
18 & 19 - Bikaner Camel Festival (Rajasthan)
19 - Pazhani Chariot festival (Tamil Nadu)
20 - Arthunkal feast (Alappuzha) Watch Video, Bangalore (Karnataka) flower show, Thypooyam (7 Feb 2012) : Harippad Sree Subramanya Swami temple ('Kavadi'), Sree Maheswara temple at Koorkanchery (Thrissur), Madurai(Tamil Nadu), Pazhani.
21 - St Sebastian's feast at Kanjoor (Angamaly, Ernakulam) and Bharananganam St Mary's church (Pala, Kotttayam), Cherai Pooram.
24 & 25 - Athirampuzha St Sebastian's festival (Kotttayam)
26 - Republic Day Parade at New Delhi and other state capitals

xx - Kanchipuram festival at Ekambaranathar temple (Tamil Nadu)

Adoor Parthasarathy temple Gajamela

The temple is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna and is located near the Adoor KSRTC bus stand. During the 10 day festival, 9 majestically caparisoned elephants takes part.

Arattu (holy bath) is ritual connected with the closing of a festival. The idols of deities are carried in a procession to the river for the holy bath. The purified idols are then escorted back to the temple accompanied by a grand elephant pageant, 'panchavadyam', 'nadaswaram' and 'chendamelam'.

Thypooya mahotsavam : A seven day festival is celebrated at Sree Maheswara temple, Koorkanchery (2 km from Thrissur town) in the month of Jan/Feb. This festival is dedicated to Lord Subrahmania, the presiding deity of the temple. The major attraction of this festival is the spectacular Kaavadiyattam. This is a kind of ritual dance carrying a kaavadi, a bow decorated with flowers and colour papers, on one’s shoulders. On the last day a kavadiyattam procession with hundreds of dancers with kavadi (tall ornate structures) is held. The dance can be seen in most of the Subrahmania temples in the state.

Cherai Pooram is held annually during January or February at the Cherai Gowreeshwara temple. 28 caparisoned elephants take part in the pooram. Cherai has a popular beach and is located 6 km from North Paravur (NH 17) in Ernakulam district.

All are requested to contribute information on important festivals with specialties in this thread. Such a festival calendar will be very helpful to all in exploring the amazing festivals in various parts of the world.

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February

01 - Manapullikavu vela (Palakkad)
03 - Anayadi temple Aarat (Kollam), Aaranmula araat
04 - Chunakkara Kettukazhcha (near Charummudu, Kayamkulam)



08 - Basant Panchami
10 - Srirangapatanam Chariot festival (Mysore)
11 - Makara Bharani - Varanad temple ponkala (near Cherthala, Alappuzha).
13 - Lokanarkavu Uchal (Kozhikode)
14 - Kuruvilangad church festival (Kottayam, up to 16th)
16 - Irijalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple Aarat, Thiruvalla Sri Vallabha Temple Aarat, Guruvayur Elephant race (Festival begins with 'Anayottam') at 2.30 pm. In 2009, 34 elephants participated in this race.
18 - Chinakkathoor Pooram (Palakkad), 'Makam' at Chottanikkara temple (Ernakulam).



19 - Pariyanam Patta pooram (15 km from Ottapalam on the Mannarkad road in Palakkad Dt), Attukal pongala (Thiruvananthapuram), Thirunakkara Aarat (Kottayam).
21 - Ponkuzhy Sree Rama temple thira (Wayanad)
22 - Pisharikavu Kaliyattom (Kozhikode), Machattu Thiruvanikkavu Mamankam (Kuthiravela on 25th, Vadakkancherry, Thrissur).
25 - Guruvayur Aarat, Khajuraho dance festival (up to 2nd Mar)
28 - Thiruvillamala Ekadasi (Palakkad)

Elephant Pageantry at Anayadi

The Anayadi Pazhayidam Sri Narasimha Swami Temple’s principal deity is Narasimha, the lion headed incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The concluding day (Makaram's Thiruonam [Jan-Feb]) of the 10 day long festival is marked by a grand elephant pageantry, in which 80 odd caparisoned tuskers take part. The Anayadi temple is at Kottappuram stop of Kayamkulam - Sasthamkotta road, Kollam. In 2007, 120 elephants take part in this festival according to 'The Hindu' daily.

Pongala is the ritual offering to Goddess Bhagavathy, is a preparation of rice, jaggery, coconut and plantains cooked together, in the temple premises.

Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur (33 km from Thrissur) is a major Hindu pilgrim centre. The beginning of the 10 day festival (Feb/Mar) is celebrated with racing of 34 elephants. The 16 th century temple is the most famous temple in Kerala (Hindus only). During the festival, a 5 kg gold 'thidambu' will be displayed. There will be daily performance by drummers - Chendamelam/Pancharimelam etc. The temple has 64 elephants and are kept at an old Zamorin palace, Punnathur Kota.

Chammanad temple festival (Alappuzha) : Watch Video
Mararikulam temple Aarat (Alappuzha) : Watch Video
Veloorvattom temple Aarat (Alappuzha) : Watch Video

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March

01 - Uthralikavu pooram (Wadakancherry)
02 - Shivaratri (Aluva), Thripunithura Aarat, Natyanjali festival at Chidambaram (TN, 5 days from Shivratri day), Padanilam Kettukazcha (near Charummudu, Kayamkulam, Shivaratri), Kanichukulangara temple fireworks (Alappuzha, Shivaratri) : Watch Video.
04 - Vavu : Thirunavaya, Ponkuzhy Sree Rama temple, Thirunelli
05 - Goa Carnival (up to 8th, Panaji), Losar (Tibetan New Year, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh)
06 - Paripally Gajamela (Kollam)
10 - Chettikulangara Bharani : Kettukazcha & Kuthiyottam Vazhipadu (Alappuzha) Watch Video
11 - Puthiyakavu ponkala (Kollam)
12 - Ezharaponnana Darshan at Ettumanoor Mahadevar temple (Seven and half elephants - one small - made of 13 kg gold donated by Maharaja of Travancore will be displayed, 11 km from Kottayam)
14 - Aarat & Ezharaponnana Darshan at Ettumanoor Mahadevar temple on the Thiruvathira day, Pandalam kettukazcha
15 - Peruvanum pooram (Thrissur)
18 - Mannarkad pooram (Palakkad), Arattupuzha Pooram Video (71 gaily caparisoned elephants with Panchavadyam at Thrissur)
19 - Panguni Uthiram (Palani, Mylapore, Madurai), Kannamali church St Joseph's festival (Kochi, 19th March), Sabarimala Aarat, Palluruthy Sree Bhavanishwara temple Aarat of 15 elephants (Ernakulam)
20 - Holi, Elephant festival at Jaipur
26 - Kollur Mookambika temple Ratholsavam (135 km north of Mangalore, Karnataka)
28 - Ambalapuzha Natakashala Sadya at 12.30 h (Alappuzha)
29 - Ambalapuzha Aarat

Pattambi Nercha, is held in memory of Aloor Valiya Pookunjikoya Thangal, a Muslim saint. The mosque is near the Pattambi railway station. Around 100 caparisoned elephants participated in the late night procession accompanied by Panchavadyam, Thayambaka and folk art forms.
xx - Othara Padayani at Puthukulangara Devi Temple, 7 km from Chengannur.

Peruvanum pooram : On the festival day (Mar/Apr, 12 km from Thrissur), sumptuously decorated elephants accompanied by scores of drummers will be the main attraction.

Arattupuzha Pooram : The temple is dedicated to Sree Ayyappa. On the sixth day of the seven day festival at Arattupuzha temple, (Mar/Apr, 14 km from Trissur), 61 gaily caparisoned elephants gather in the temple grounds, accompanied by the temple music of Panchavadyam, nadaswaram, pacharimelam and pandimelam.

Paripally Gajamela or Elephant pageant

The Gajamela of 50 elephants in the month of Feb-Mar is celebraed at Kodimootil Sree Bhadrakaali Temple, Paripally, 23 km from Kollam. Unique offering by the devotees in this temple is elephant.

An elephant pageant is usually accompanied by the panchavadyam (the traditional five instrument musical ensemble) which works up to a frenzy as the kudamattam ritual (the synchronised changing of the parasols atop the tuskers ) gathers speed.

Chamakkavu kettukazhcha – The huge effigy being taken to the temple on a country boat. Temple is on the banks of Achankovil river in Mavelikkara, Alappuzha. Similar Kettukazcha can be seen at Valiyakulagara, Puthiyakavu, Koyippalli Karazhma, Evoor, Chamakkavu, Vettiyar, Mullikulangara, Malanada etc near Mavelikkara in Alappuzha district.

Video

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April

03 - Nenmara Vallangi Vela (Palakkad)
04 - Ugadi (New Year in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka), Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year).
05 - Kodungallur Kavutheendal (next day is Bharani), Malanada Kettukazhcha (30 km from Chengannur, Kaala vela, chariot. Toddy is the main offering and temple is dedicated to Duryodhana, Aswathy day in the month of Meenam.)
06 - Kodungalloor Bharani , Gangaur festival (7th also, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Nathdwara), Marwar festival (Jodhpur, up to 8th)
09 - Thirumandham kunnu pooram purappadu (Angadippuram, Malappuram)
12 - Rama Navami
14 - Tamil New Year, Baisakhi, Madurai Sri Meenachi marriage festival, Madurai Chariot festival (17th), Car festival at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam, Pavaratty church festival (St Joseph's, 15th April, Thrissur).
15 - Vishu : Guruvayur, Sabarimala (Open for 10 days), Thirunelli, Chidambaram temple
16 - Kollam Pooram, Madhur temple festival (Kasaragod).
18 - Mangala devi jungle temple festival (Thekkady/Idukki), Hanuman Jayanti.
21 - Mondy Thursday, Poomkavu church 'Sneha deeparchana' (Alappuzha), Kadammanitta Devi Temple (Pathanamthitta - Spectacular padayani performance, first day of the month of Medam)
22 - Good Friday, Thankey St Mary's church (Alappuzha), Wagamon Kurisumala kayattom (Idukki)
23 - Thirunavaya Aarat, Kollengod thookkam at Vattavila Bhadrakali temple (Palakkad)
24 - Aryankav pooram (Palakkad), Easter

Mangala devi temple

It is located in the forested Periyar wild life sanctuary near Kumily, Idukki Dt., Kerala. The 1000 year old temple is at 1330 m ASL. The festival is on Chithra Paurnami day. Access from Kumily by jeep (Rs 50, Car Rs 800) or by a 13 km trek. No photography is permitted due to an inter state border issue. Both Keralites and Tamilians visit the shrine to offer puja amidst of high security. Timing 5 am to 6 pm. Entry up to 3 pm. Contact Wildlife Warden for permit : 04869 222027.

Kodungallur Bharani festival

At Sri Kurumba Bhagavati temple thousands of oracles clad in red cloth and holding swords rushed to the temple during the 'kavutheendal' ceremony. The temple is on the North Paravur - Kuttipuram NH 17 road in Thrissur district.

Aryankavu, a small village 10 km from Shornur in Palakkad district is famous for its Pooram festival celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam 1 to 21 (in April). The most attractive thing about this festival is Kuthiravela, a colourful procession carrying the motifs of horse. The motifs will be finely decorated with tender coconut leaves and flowers. People dance in tune with the foot tapping percussions in the background.

Nenmara Vallangi Vela is a temple festival celebrated in the district of Palakkad in Kerala, India. The Vela is regarded as one of the biggest temple festivals of the State.

Nenmara and Vallangi are two deshams (regions) of Palakkad and the annual Vela festival is held as a joint invocation by them to the Goddess Bhagavathy of the Nellikkulangara Bhagavathy temple. The festival is held in the month of Meenam (March-April), according to the Malayalam calendar.

Be it the elephant pageantry or temple orchestras, the two 'deshams' vie with each other to present their best, making the festival simply majestic.

The festivities start with Kodiyettam (religious flag hoisting) at Nellikulangara temple on the first of Meenam. On the ninth day flag hoisting is done in both villages and its time for the villagers to watch Kummatti, a charming folk art form.

Karivela and Andivela, two other folk art forms are the highlights of the eighteenth and nineteenth days respectively.

The twentieth is the big day of the festival. Spectacular processions with caparisoned elephants from the two villages are taken to the Nellikulangara temple, the main venue. On reaching the temple, both sides stand face to face at the Utsavapandal (festival marquee). In a competitive spirit both sides present Panchavadyam and other traditional percussion ensembles.

After certain rituals, the processions go back to the respective deshams only to come back in the night in the same spirit and vigour. Spectacular fireworks are held in the night.

The festivities conclude after the Koora Azhikal (ritualistic lowering of the festival flags) on the twenty-first day at both deshams.

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May

01 - Malayattoor church festival (Ernakulam), Edappally St George Church Festival (up to 15th).
05 - Edathua church festival (near Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha), Abu Summer festival (Rajasthan)
06 - Akshaya Tritiya
10 - Sikkim tourism festival at Hee Bermiock, Gangtok (up to 13 th)
12 - Thrissur Pooram, Kerala's biggest temple festival with processions of caparisoned elephants at Vadakkunnatha temple, Suchindram temple Aarat.
16 - Kottiyur neyyattam (Kannur)
17 - Buddha Purnima
20 - Ooty flower show at Botanical Gardens (up to 22nd, Tamil Nadu)
23 - Irinjalakuda Aarat (Thrissur)
24 - Kottiyur Ilaneerattom



Thrissur Pooram Chamayam

On the previous day of the grand festival of Thrissur Pooram, the Chamayam or the paraphernalia like caparisons, colourful parasols, and other ornaments that the elephants are being adorned with during the festivities are exhibited in the famous Thekkinkad Maidan at the heart of Thrissur Town. Elephant lovers and Pooram enthusiasts throng here to watch this exhibition which is conducted by both the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi temples.

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June

Early June - Shimla Summer Festival (Himachal Pradesh)
02 - Ajmer Urs fair, Kottiyur Revathi aaradhana : Hindu pilgrim centre in Kannur dist. It is 2 hour by bus from Thalassery via Koothuparambu. Oodapoo is the prasad.
08 - Kottiyur Makam varavu
13 - Kanyakumari Aarat
16 & 17 - Ochira kali (Near Kayamkulam in Kollam Dt.)



23 - Sant Tukaram Yatra begins on 23rd June. The Pandharpur Palki yatra from Dehu near Pune ends on the previous day of Ashadhi Ekadasi at Pandharpur Vithoba Temple in Maharashtra (21 days, up to 10th July). Ashadhi Ekadasi is celebrated on 11th July.
24 - Sao Joao Feast, Goa (24th June every year)
29 - Amarnath Yatra, Jammu Kashmir (up to 13 Aug)

July

03 - Puri Rath Yatra (Orissa)
06 - Chidambaram Chariot festival
10 & 11 - Hemis Festival (Ladakh)
14 - Champakulam moolam boat race (accessible from Alappuzha)
15 - Guru Purnima
28 - St Alphonsa's feast at St Mary's church Bharananganam (near Pala, Kottayam).
30 - Karikidavavu at Varkala, Tirunavaya (Malappuram), Tirunelli (Wayanad), Ponkuzhy Sree Rama temple & Sankhumukham beach (Thiruvananthapuram), Tiruvambadi Sree Krishna temple Alappuzha.



August

02 - Teej, is a fasting festival for Hindu Women, mainly celebrated in Jaipur.
04 - Nag Panchami (West Bengal)
13 - Nehru Trophy Boat race at Punnamada lake (Alappuzha, Second Saturday of August at 2 pm), Raksha Bandhan.
15 - Independence Day parade at New Delhi and other State capitals, Aarattupuzha Aarat near Thrissur, Sitabari fair (117 km from Kota).
20 - Aranmula boat race near Chengannur
21 - Sree Krishna Jayanti (Janmashtami) : Guruvayur, Thrissur Thiruvambadi temple, Ambalapuzha temple (Alappuzha) - Shobha yatra
27 - Kayamkulam boat race (Alappuzha Dt)
31 - Tripunithura Attachamayam (Ernakulam), Nag Panchami (Adiesha Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Nagathamman Temple in Chennai, Hardevja Temple in Jaipur).

Elankavu Attuvela (2 days, Vadayar near Vaikom)
Metemneo Festival in second week of August, Nagaland

Athachamayam

This is a colorful procession with caparisoned elephants, colourful floats and some of the awesome art forms of Kerala including Theyyam, Panchavadyam, Chendamelam, Pambamelam, Karakattam, Mayilattom, Ammankudam and Aattakavadi and Pulikali. One can also have a look on the pookkalams, floral decorations to welcome King Mahabali (Maveli), who is believed to have ruled the land, according to mythology. Celebrated at Thripunithura near Kochi during Onam Season.



Chundan vallams or snake boats are narrow boats over 30 m long, with a raised prow that stands 3 m above water and resembles the hood of a snake. Traditionally these were used by local rulers to transport soldiers during waterfront wars. In modern times, it has spawned a new sport – the Vallam Kali (boat race). Each 'chundan vallam' accommodates about a hundred muscular oarsmen.

Boat races are occasions of great excitement and entertainment with thousands gathered on the banks to watch and cheer. Most of these races are held in the Kuttanad region of Alappuzha.

Nehru Trophy Boat race

When Jawaharlal Nehru visited Kerala in 1952, four traditional chundan valloms went to receive him. A snake boat race was organised for him. He was so impressed that when he went back to Delhi, he sent back a gleaming silver trophy for a boat race. Even today, the 1.5 km Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most prestigious. It is held during the Onam harvest festival in August in Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha.

The types of boats take part in this competition includes the bean-shaped boats, Kitetailed, curly-headed and so on. Between 30 and 60 metres long with tall, cone shaped, tapering helms protruding several metres above water and accommodating 100 or more at the oars, these boats of exquisite elegance plough the water with the rhythm of drums and cymbals and legendary songs, typical of Kerala. Above each boat gleam scarlet silk umbrellas as the boats go in procession in the backwaters and rivers of a Kerala, which remind one of the sea-faring and martial traditions of ancient Kerala.

Other renowned boat races are Indira Gandhi Boat Race, Champakulam Moolam Boat Race (near Ambalapuzha), Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkali (near Chengannur), Payippad Jalotsavam (near Harippad), Kottayam boat race (Tazhathangady near Kottayam).

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CHURCH FESTIVALS

ARTHUNKAL FEAST

St. Andrew's Forance Church at Arthunkal, one of the sacred churches in Kerala, attracts lakhs of devotees both Christians and non-Christians every year from all parts of the State. The feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on a grand scale for eleven days in a year. Owing to the unmanageable crowding of pilgrims and the resultant confusion on January 20 the final day of the feast, the church authorities have instituted another minor feast on the 8th day after the principal feast. This is known as Ettamperunnal. Of late this feast also has attained as much importance as the principal feast.

BHARANAMGANAM FEAST

Bharanamganam, a small village town in Meenachal Taluk of Kottayam District, has been famous for long as one of the hallowed places in Kerala. It is about 14 miles from the Ettumanoor railway station. Bharabangaban has always been a refuge of the afflicted and the miserable as well as of the faithful. It is here that the famous St. Mary's Forance Church, one of the oldest churches in Kerala dedicated to the Holy Mother, stands, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the country. The important annual festivals of this church are the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated on the 9th of November, and the Feast of St. Sebastian on the 20th of January.

EDAPPALLY PERUNAL

Every year 'Forty hour devotion' marks the commencement of the festival. The festival begins on the 23rd of April with solemn High Mass and Litany. On the 25th flag is hoisted solemnly and ceremoniously.

EDATHUA FESTIVAL

The St. George's church at Edathua stands on the bank of the river Pampa, sixteen miles southeast Alappuzha. This church is famous for the feast of St. George celebrated every year in the month of Medam (April-May). It takes place from 27th April till 7th of May. Though the festival lasts for 11 days, only last couple of days carry all the aspects of a major festival. Hence calendars reckon the 6th of May as the feast day.