Fairs & Festivals of India 2009

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Fairs & Festivals of Kerala 2009

January

01 - New Year Day
10 - Erumeli Chandanakkudam festival (Kottayam District)
11 - Erumeli Petta thulllal
12 - Thiru abharana yatra from Panthalam temple
14 - Makara vilakku at Sabarimala. Sabarimala opens on first 5 days of all Malayalam months. (Pathanamthitta)
17,18 - St Sebastian's feast at Kuruvilangad St Mary's church (Kottayam)
19 - St Sebastian's feast at Athirampuzha church (Ettumanoor, Kottayam)
20 - Arthunkal feast (Alappuzha) Watch Video
20,21 - St Sebastian's feast at Kanjoor (Angamaly, Ernakulam) and Bharananganam St Mary's church (Pala, Kotttayam)
25 - Kumbalangi St Peter's church feast (Ernakulam)
26 - Republic Day Parade at New Delhi and other state capitals

Elephant Pageantry

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 caparioned tuskers take part. The Anayadi temple is at Kottappuram stop of Kayamkulam -Sasthamkotta road, Kollam. In 2007, 120 elephants take part ibn this festival according to 'The Hindu' daily.

Elephant attack video

Cherai Pooram is held annually during January or February at the Cherai Gowreeshwara temple. Twenty eight caparisoned elephants take part in the pooram. Cherai has a popular beach and is located 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

03 - Makara Bharani, Varanad temple Cherthala (Alappuzha)
05 - Adoor Parthasarathy temple Gaja mela (Elephant festival) & Aarat
08 - Thypooyam at Harippad Sree Subramanya Swami temple ('Kavadi'), Sree Maheswara temple at Koorkanchery, Cherai Gowrishawara temple Aarat (23 elephants), Ratholsavam at Pazhani (Tamil Nadu)
10 - Chammanad temple festival (Alappuzha) Watch Video
13 - Kottackal Shiv temple 'Aarat'
16 - Vaikom Shiv temple 'Ashtami' (Kottayam)
20 - Tiruvillamala temple (Palakkad)
23 - Aluva Shivratri, Kanichukulangara temple fireworks (Alappuzha) : Watch Video, Mannarasala temple (Alappuzha), Vaikom, Thrissur, Ettumanoor, Kottayam Shiv temples.
24 - Mararikulam temple Aarat (Alappuzha) Watch Video

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.

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.

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'.

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March

01 - Paripally Gajamela (23 km from Kollam, 50 caparisoned elephants), Varanad temple Cherthala, Veloorvattom temple Aarat (Cherthala, Alappuzha) Watch Video
02 - Chettikulangara Bharani : Ketttukazcha & Kuthiyottam Vazhipadu (Alappuzha) Watch Video
06 - Ettumanoor Aarat
07 - Guruvayur Elephant race (Anayottam) at 2.30 pm. 34 elephants participated in this race.
09 - 'Makam' at Chottanikkara temple (Ernakulam)
10 - Attukal Pongala (Thiruvananthapuram, 3 km from city), Lakhs of women devotees participate in the Pongala festival.
12 - Palluruthy Sree Bhavanishwara temple Aarat of 15 elephants (Ernakulam)
16 - Guruvayur Aarat
19 - Kannamaly church St Joseph festival (Kochi), Kollur Mookambika temple ratholsavam (128 km from Mangalore in Karnataka, Chariot festival)
21 - Ambalapuzha Natakashala Sadya at 12.30 h (Alappuzha)
22 - Ambalapuzha Aarat at 5 pm
29 - Kodungalloor Bharani (Thrissur), Alapuzha Pazhaveed temple 'Garudan thookkam'.

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 accompained 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.
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.

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

Chettikulangara Kettukazcha



Chettikulangara Kuthiyottam Vazhipadu



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.

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.

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April

03 - Peruvanum pooram, Nenmara Vallangi Vela (Palakkad)
04 - Aryankav pooram (Palakkad)
06 - Arattupuzha Pooram Video (71 gaily caparisoned elephants, Panchavadyam)
09 - Mondy Thursday, Poomkavu church 'Sneha deeparchana' (Alappuzha)
10 - Good Friday, Thankey church (Alappuzha)
14 - Vishu, Guruvayur, Sabarimala temple (Open for 10 days, Pathanamthitta Dt)
19 - Malayattoor church festival (Ernakulam)
21 - Kadammanitta Devi Temple (Pathanamthitta - Spectacular padayani performance)
23 - Pathamudayam, Harippad Sree Subramanya swami temple Aarat, Ambalapuzha temple (Alappuzha)

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.

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.

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.

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

02,03 - Pavartty church festival (Thrissur)
03 - Thrissur Pooram, Kerala's biggest temple festival with processions of caparisoned elephants.
07 - Edathua church 27 April onwards (near Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha)
09 - Mangala devi jungle temple festival, located in the Periyar wild life sanctuary near Kumily, Idukki Dt., Kerala (trek).
31 - Vallarpadom St Mary's Basilica festival (Ernakulam)

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

15, 16 - Ochira kali (Near Kayamkulam, Alappuzha)
18 - Kottiyur Revati, Hindu pilgrim centre in Kannur dist. It is 2 hour by bus from Thalassery via Koothuparambu. Oodapoo is the prasad.



July

06 - Chambakulam Moolam boat race (near Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha)
21 - Karkidavavu; Varkala, Tirunelli (Wayanad), Tirunavaya (Malappuram) & Sankhumukham beach (Thiruvananthapuram), Tiruvambadi Sree Krishna temple Alappuzha
28 - St Alphonsa's feast at St Mary's church Bharananganam (near Pala, Kottyam).

August

6 to 15 - Bangalore (Karnataka) flower show
8 - Nehru Trophy Boat race at Punnamada (Alappuzha) 2 pm. Mrs Sonia Gandhi will be the Chief guest.
15 - Independence Day parade at New Delhi and other State capitals.
23 - Tripunithura Attachamayam (Ernakulam), Thrikkakara temple fest. Ganesh Chaturthi and Dahi Handi is celebrated all over Maharashtra mainly in Pune and Mumbai.

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), Kallada boat race, Kottayam boat race (Tazhathangady) and Kumarakom Boat Race (near Kottayam).

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September

02 - Onam, Trikkakara temple festival (Ernakulam), Harippad Payippad boat race, Neerettupuram boat race. Onavillu, the ceremonial bows an offering to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India on Thiruonam day.
Pookkalam (Flower arrangement from Atham to Onam day).

04 - Karunagappally Sree Narayana Jaloltsavam (boat race)
05 - Tazhathangady boat race at 3 pm (Kottayam)
06 - Aranmula Uttrathadi boat race (10 km from Chengannur/Pathanamthitta). Aranmula is on the banks of river Pamba. Aranmula is famous for Pardhasaradhi Temple temple and Aranmula kannadi (high tin bronze -Copper & tin - mirror. The polishing of the metal takes several days to give reflective property).
08 - Manarcad church festival (Kottayam), Vechoor church, Vailankanni festival (Tamil Nadu)
11 - Sree Krishna Jayanti - Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha temple (Alappuzha) - Shobha yatra
17 - Tiruvillamala Niramala (Palakkad)
24 - Vallarpadom church festival (near Ernakulam)
28 - Vijaya Dashami (Mysore Dasara), Mullackal Aarat (Alappuzha)

Vallarpadom church festival

The festival is held in great devotion 'Vallarpadath Amma' is believed to have miraculously saved her devotees several time from violent storms. The celebrations which last for more than a week is accompanied by an unusually big fair. The most important products and articles offered at this fair are country boats and cars, pots and straw mats. The last item finds an important market here as the festival falls in the harvest season.

October

11 - Koratty muthy church festival
13 - Mannarasala Ayilyam festival (Haripad, Alappuzha)
25 - Tripunithura festival (Ernakulam)
27 - Sree Padmanabha swami temple Aarat (Thiruvananthapuram)

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November

1,2 - Parumala Church feast, Pathanamthitta
9 - Mannarasala Ayilyam
13 to 15 - Kalpathy Ratholsavam, Palakkad
16 - Sabarimala pilgrimmage begins. It is 95 km from Chengannur in Pathanamthitta Dt.
23 - Aarat at Mullackal (Alappuzha) & Tripunithura (Ernakulam)

December

01 - Parassinikadavu festival, Kannur Dt.
03- Tiruvambadi temple Aratt (Alappuzha)
04 - Navy Day. Entry open to Warships at Kochi, Mumbai & Vizag bases
09 - Vaikom Ashtami (Kottayam)
10 - Vaikom Aarat (Kottayam)
12 - Triprayar temple (Thrissur)
16 - Guruvayur temple (Thrissur)
25 - Christmas, One can see numerous colourful stars and cribs all over Kerala. Special in Goa.
26 - Mullackal Chirappu (Alapuzha, 10 day carnival)
30 - Suchindram Therottam (near Nagarkovil in Tamil Nadu)
31 - Suchindram Araat

Read more about Kerala festivals

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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.

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Church Festivals

KADAMATTOM FEAST

Mainly two feasts are celebrated in this church, one on the 24th and 25th of Makaram (January-February) and the other on 23rd of Medam (April-May). The former is the most important.

KALLOOPPARA PERUNAL

St.Mary's Church at Kallooppara stands in close proximity to the Kallooppara Bhagavathy temple. Inside the church, on its eastern and western wings, there are two granite slabs with some inscriptions in the Pali language. The Palli perunal and the foundation day of the Church are the two celebrations held on January 15 and July 5 respectively.

KORATTY FEAST

About 7 km south of Chalakudy, there is an ancient and beautiful village called Koratty. There is an old catholic church there built in honour of St. Mary which is locally known as "Koratty Muthy's Church". The most important festival in this church is the 'Koratty Muthy's festival celebrated during the second week of October every year.

MALAYATTUR FEAST

St. Thomas shrine at Malayattur a village about six miles to the north of Kaladi Ernakulam District is believed to be one of the ancient catholic shrines in the northern part of the state. The chief festival at the shrine is second Sunday, since the first moon, after the Vernal Equinox (March 21). The Feast, therefore, falls generally in the month of April or at times in the last week of March. The Octave is celebrated on the following Sunday. The pilgrims have to climb a hill nearly 2000 feet high and on top of it is the church.

MANJINIKKARA CHURCH FESTIVAL

The church and Dayara at Manjinikkara derives its importance from the holy tomb there. The sacred body of the late lgnatius Elise III, the holy patriarch of Antioch and all the East was interned there. Members of the Jacobite Syrian Church believe that the Holy Father was a Saint. The Church has now become one of the foremost places of pilgrimage.