Fairs & Festivals of India 2011

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Festivals Of November

1 - 30 : Sonepur Cattle Fair, Sonepur, Bihar
3 : Hampi Utsav Hampi, Karnataka
13 - 15 : Kalpathi Ratholsavam Palakkad, Kerala
27 - 30 : Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival, Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Festivals Of December

28 - Jan 7 : Mahabalipuram Dance Festival, Tamil Nadu
1 - 5 : Konark Dance Festival, Orissa
3 : Feast of St Francis Xavier, Goa
5 : Tourism Festival, Sikkim
27 : Muharram, Hopset, Karnataka (Fire walking)
28 - Jan 1 : Theyyam at Kanathoor, Kasargod, Kerala
29 - 31 : Winter Festival, Mount Abu, Rajasthan

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Adoor Gajamela

Nine majestically caparisoned elephants take part in this spectacular procession which starts from the Parthasarathy Temple and culminates at Chennapatti temple, 3 km from Adoor. Ottanthullal other traditional art forms are also staged on the tenth day. The shrine of Partasarathy is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna, known here in the name of Parthasarathy. Partha's is the other name for Arjun a charcter in the epic Mahabharata and Saraythy means charioteer. Lord Krishna drove Arjun's chariot during the Battle of Kurukshetra. The temple also celebrates Ashtamirohini the birthday anniversary of Sree Krishna. Parichamuttukali - a folk art resembling the martial steps, Mayooranritham - Peacock dance, Ammandudam, Velakali - dance symbolic of ancient warfare, etc are performed at the temple during the Ashtamirohini festival.

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Arattupuzha Pooram

Aarattupuzha Pooram, is the festival that sees the largest elephant stage entry in which about 70 majestically caparisoned elephants participate. Aarattupuzha is about 14 km from Thrissur town and the famous Ayyappa temple at Aarattupuzha is just 14 km from Thrissur, and it is at this temple that the annual pooram festival is celebrated.

The final pooram is conducted with sixty one caparisoned elephants decked up with bright colored umbrellas and parasols in the traditional manner, presenting an unparalleled spectacle. The temple ensemble and the traditional music lend a majestic tenor to the extravaganza. According to popular belief, the patron deities of the neighboring villages ride majestically caparisoned tuskers to arrive in a procession at the Arattupuzha village on the day of this festival.

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Attukal Pongala

The Pongala Mahotsavam is held in Attukal Bhagavathy Temple and is considered to be a sacred ritual. A ten day festival it starts according to the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham and closes with the sacrificial offering of Kuruthitharpanam. Observed by lakhs of women, this Attukal temple turns into the 'Sabrimala for women' on these days of the Attukal Pongala. The Attukal Pongala is observed strictly by the womenfolk. Amidst much fun and fervor the women cook the rice porridge with jaggery and coconut and offer it to the Goddess.

The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple was built years ago by the local family. This family was believed to have had a vision of the Goddess in the dream and it was according to her wish that they built this temple. It is also believed that the deity of the temple was an avatar of the Kannaki. According to legends the local women, have made the Pongala in to propitiate Kannaki.

During the Pongala festival, women dress in their best clothes and offer their prayers at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The religious songs even continue for 9 days of the festivals along with the other celebrations. The Devi's sword is carried by the chief priest and he blesses the ladies by sprinkling holy water and showering flowers. The blessed Pongala is then distributed amongst the devotees.

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Kalpathi Ratholsavam

The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is regarded as one of the most remarkable Fairs and Festivals in Kerala. The place of Kalpathi which also is famed as Dakshin Kasi or the Varanasi of the South is the venue for the festival where the Sree Viswanatha Swamy temple us situated. The temple is flanked by thousands of devotees who enjoy the Vedic recitals and cultural programs for the first four days. The rituals are believed to be around 700 years old reflecting the serenity of the festival. The last three days are exciting with the chariots on the streets and thousands gathering to draw the decorated chariot and be a part of the mega event. The ceremonial procession is taken by a host of people which itself is a sight to enjoy.

How to Reach

Located 3 km from Palakkad Railway station, Kerala.

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Kanjiramattom Kodikuthu, Ernakulam

Built as a memorial to Sheikh Fariduddin, the Kanjiramattom mosque is the place where this festival is held. During the 'Chandanakkudam' ritual at night the pilgrims carry pots covered with sandalwood paste and proceed in a procession to the mosque. You can get to see a glimpse of the six caparisoned and ornamented elephants and folk performances add color to the performance. You can see traditional Muslim song and dance performances like 'Duffmuttu', 'Kolkali', Oppana and Mappilappattu during the festival.

One of the famous Muslim festivals of Kerala, the Kanjiramattom Kodikuthu is held 25 km from Ernakulam in the month of January. Celebrated in Kanjiramattom the Kodikuthu Festival draws number of tourists from all over. People dress in their best clothes and offer their prayers in the Kanjiramattom mosque during this festival.

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Kodungalloor Bhagavathi Temple

Kodungalloor was the past capital of Kerala and is the home to the Kodungalloor Bhagavathi Temple, the venue to the festival and is one of the wealthiest temples of the country. The festival is attended by thousands of devotees who thronged into the temple to be a part of the occasion. The temple is 32 km from Ernakulam.

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Paripally Gajamela

The Paripally Gajamela takes place at the Paripally Kodimootil Sree Bhadrakaali Temple. The elephant procession takes place on the tenth day of the annual festivities at the temple. A unique practice observed during these festivities is the ritual offering of elephants to deities as Nercha (offering). It is a popular belief that an offering of elephants satisfies the deity and grants all the wishes of the devotees. The festival is punctuated by cultural programs and culminates in the Paripally Gajamela- the mega elephant pageant held as part of the annual festival on the tenth day of festivities at the Kodimootil Sree Bhadrakaali Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. About a 100 gorgeously caparisoned elephants are lined up for the event. Gaja is Sanskrit means elephant and Mela means pageant of fair to be more precise- hence the name gajamela.

The pooram and vela festivals are the best occasions to watch the majestic tuskers when they are taken out in all their caparisoned splendor. During the festival, colorfully decked up elephants, numbering fifteen to hundred or more, line up on the temple premises. With mahouts atop them, holding high tinselled silk parasols (muthukuda) and swaying white tufts (venchamaram) and peacock feather fans (aalavattom) to the rhythm of the temple orchestra.

How To Reach : 48 km from Thiruvananthapuram in Feb-Mar. Event Date : On 1 Mar 2009.

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Thaipoova Mahotsam Koorkancherry

The Sree Maheswara Temple at Koorkancherry in Thrissur is the place where the stage remains set for the annual extravaganza called Thaipoova Mahotsam. The seven day festival is celebrated with the riot of colors bringing the captivating imagery of celebrations with the town painted by the different colors. The main celebration begins on the Pooram day with the devotees getting geared up for the festival from the wee hours of the day. Devotional rites are performed from 4 am followed by the processions of devotees who flank to the temple from the various parts of the neighboring regions. The devotees carry the exotic kavadi on their shoulders during the procession. They stream into the temple courtyard where the main rituals are performed. Each of the groups then performs dances and other performing arts to celebrate the occasion.

The kavadiyattam continues till late afternoon after which the procession marches with the deity who is escorted by the majestically caparisoned elephants. In the evenings the visitors get to witness one of the finest performances in folk arts like Karakkattom and Mayilattam.

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Great Elephant March

The march begins with a magnificent array of elegantly caparisoned Tuskers standing tall with their mahouts at Trissur Thekkinkadu grounds and ends in Thiruvananthapuram (17-20 Jan). You can feed the elephants while the traditional 'Melam' (Kerala orchestra) plays on traditional pieces. After the ritual feeding and folk dance performance, it is time for you to enjoy a sumptuous traditional Keralian lunch. After lunch you can enjoy an exciting ride atop the elephants at the Thekkinkadu grounds. The inaugural day usually comes to end with splendid safaris.

On the second day of the march the caravan reaches Kochi. Visit the old city or take a cruise on the emerald backwaters. Or take a walk down the Kochi Marine Drive.

The next stop on the great march is Alapuzha, a major backwater destination in Kerala. Take a trip down the narrow manmade canals on local country boats or rice boats. Visit the coir industry and see how rope is churned out of coir. You can also purchase show pieces made of coir for home.

The grand finale of the march is to be at Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. Spend the day as you wish- visit the Kovalam Beach or the Ranganathaswamy Temple. In the evening experience the Great Elephant Show arranged in a typical rural ambiance. The show recreates the fabled Thrissur Pooram festival, which celebrates the friendly rivalry between two temple factions. A cultural program follows featuring martial arts, dances with the mesmerising crescendo of Panchavadyam.