Fairs & Festivals of India 2011

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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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September

01 - Ladakh festival at Leh (up to 15th, lion dances, yak dances, craft stalls, excellent local food and plenty of chang!.), Ganesh Chaturthi ("Ganpati bapa, mouriya! Pudcha varshi, laukar ya!") celebrated all over Maharashtra mainly in Pune and Mumbai., Tarnetar fair (75 km from Rajkot up to 3rd).
02 - Dahi Handi (Pune and Mumbai)
04 - Panangad boat race, Ernakulam
08 - Manarcad church festival (Kottayam), Vechoor church, Vailankanni festival (Tamil Nadu)
09 - Thiru Onam, Pookkalam (Flower arrangement from Atham to Onam day). Onavillu, the ceremonial bows an offering to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on Thiruonam day, Harippad Payippad boat race (up to 11th Sept), Neerettupuram boat race (On the Ambalapuzha - Thiruvalla highway).
10 - Neelamperoor padayani at Palli Bhagavathy temple in Alappuzha district (16 km from Kottayam). Begins at 10 pm on Avittam day in the Malayalam month of Chingam.
11- Tazhathangady boat race at 3 pm (first Sunday after Onam, Kottayam)
14 - Aranmula Uttrathadi boat race (10 km from Chengannur/Pathanamthitta). Aranmula is on the banks of river Pamba. Aranmula is famous for Pardhasaradhi Temple and Aranmula kannadi (high tin bronze -Copper & tin - mirror. The polishing of the metal takes several days to give reflective property).
24 - Vallarpadom St Mary's Basilica festival (Ernakulam), Vettikot Ayilyam (Kayamkulam)
28 - Navaratri begins - Jwalamukhi Fair (30 km from Kangra / 56 km from Dharamshala, HP).
29 - Navaratri Brahmotsavam at Tirupati is celebrated with Chariot festival in September/October for 9 days (in the month of Asweeja in Salivahana Calendar,when sun is in kanya rasi). Ends on October 9 with Chakrasnanam.

Karunagappally Sree Narayana Jaloltsavam (boat race)



Dahi handi

The breaking of the `dahi-handi’ - a pot of milk, yoghurt, butter, honey and dry fruits - which is suspended high above a street. Teams of young men and boys compete with each other to build human pyramids high enough to reach the dahi-handi and break it. The act is symbolic of Krishna’s love for milk and butter, and his plundering of the local cowgirls’ handis.

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

05 - Mahanavami/Ayudha Puja
06 - Vijayadashami / Dussehra (Mysore, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Kota fair), dandiya, Durga Puja (West Bengal), Kollur Mookambika temple.
Second week - Koratty church festival
14 - Mahe St Theresa's church festival
15 - Karwa Chauth
up to 17th - Karni Mata fair near Bikaner (Rajasthan)
18 - Rayiranallur mala kayattom (Palakkad)
19 - Sree Padmanabha swami temple Aarat (Thiruvananthapuram)
22 - Mannarasala Ayilyam (Haripad, Alappuzha)
26 - Diwali (Deepawali - festival of light and joy), Thripunithura festival (Ernakulam)
28 - Bhai Dooj (day dedicated to the love between a brother and sister, Bihar)
30 & 31 - Chhath Puja (Nahai Khai, Bihar & UP)

Cape festival at Kanyakumari (3 days, in October)

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November

02 - Parumala perunnal (Pathanamthitta, located near Mannar/Chengannur)
06 - Bakrid, Shamlaji fair (up to 10th, Kartik Purnima is the most important day for the fair. 122 km from Ahmedabad at Rajasthan border)
10 - Gurunanak Jayanti (Guru Granth Sahib is carried in procession and community meals -langar - follows).
14 - Kalpathy Ratholsavam (Palakkad).
17 - Sabarimala pilgrimmage (mandalakalam) begins. It is 95 km (3.5 hour) from Chengannur railhead.
18 - Pushkar Mela (cattle fair up to 27th, near Ajmer in Rajasthan).
19 - Vaikath ashtami (Kottayam)
21 - Thriprayar Ekadasi (Thrissur)
27 - Mamburam Makham nercha (Near Kottackal, Malappuram)
30 - Thripunithura Aarat (Ernakulam)

December

01 - Hornbill festival at Kohima, Nagaland (1st to 5th of Dec every year)
02 - Parassinikadavu Muthappan temple festival (Offerings include toddy, fish and meat. 20 km from Kannur)
04 - Navy Day. Entry open to Warships at Kochi, Mumbai & Vizag bases
05 - Muharram - mourns the martyrdom of the revered Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad (Fire walk at Hospet near Hampi in Karnataka, Pune and Hyderabad by Shias), Sonepur Mela (25 km from Patna)
06 - Guruvayur Ekadasi, Thiruvillamala punarjani cave 'noolalal' (Palakkad), Vaikunta Ekadesi at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple (Trichy).
06 to 15 - Perumthitta Tharavad theyyam (26 km from Kasaragod)
08 - Karthigai Deepam (Tamil festival of lights at Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar's temple, 72 m high gopuram with 11 storeys). Mahadeepam is lit on the top of the hill at around 6 pm.
09 - Chakkulathukavu ponkala (near Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha)
20 - Mullackal Chirappu (Alapuzha, 10 day carnival)
25 - Christmas, One can see numerous colourful stars and cribs all over Kerala. Mamallapuram Dance festival, Special in Goa.
27 to 2 Jan - Kanathur Nalvar Bhoothasthanam theyyam (20 km from Kasaragod, types of theyyam performed are Panjuruli, Bamberiyan, Manichi, Kundamkulayan, Raktheswari, Ilayor Daivam). Kanathur buses are available from Kasargod bus stand.

Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple chariot festival is in the month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) for 21 days.

Read more about Kerala festivals

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