Fairs & Festivals of India 2011

[Perfection]

ASHTAMI at VAIKOM

The Mahadeva Temple at Vaikom is one of the most famous and oldest Siva temples in Kerala. The utsavam in this temple is celebrated for twelve days during the dark lunar fortnight of Vrischikam, (November-December) the Ashtami falling on the last day. During the night on the Ashtami day the deities of the neighbouring temples will be ceremoniously brought in procession to this temple.

ATTUKAL PONKALA

There is an ancient Bhagavathy temple (Mudipura) at Attukal in the Kaladi ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The most important festival in this temple, generally known as Attukal Ponkala commences on Bharani day in Kumbhom (February-March) and continues for nine days. The festival begins with Thottampattu (a song about Bhagavathi) which goes on during all the nine days. On the ninth day, several thousands of women assemble in the temple compound with ponkala pots and the required quantities of rice and other ingredients for ponkala.

Event Date :10 March, 2009

KUTHIYOTTAM AND KETTUKAZHCHA ( Chettikulangara Temple)

Chettikulangara temple near Kayamkulam is one of the famous Devi Temples in Kerala. The Bharani Utsavam celebrated in Kumbham (February-March) in this temple is quite an event to the local people as well as to those residing in the neighbouring villages.

Event Date : 2 March, 2009

CHITTUR KONGANPADA

Konganpada is a grand festival of historical significance celebrated in the Bhagavathy temple at Chittur, 10 km from Palakkad town. A unique festival it is held every year on the first Monday after the dark lunar night in Kumbham (February -March) to commemorate the victory of Nairs of Chittur over the militia of Konganadu (Coimbatore) led by the Chola King Rajadhi Raja.

ETTUMANOOR FESTIVAL

Ettumanoor is located 12 km north-east of Kottayam town. The ancient Siva temple here has brought glory and fame to the place. Myths have it that the Pandavas and the sage Vyasa had worshipped at this temple. The name of the place had its origin from the word 'manoor', which means the home of deer. The 'arattu' festival of this temple is celebrated on a grand scale on the Thiruvathira day in Kumbham (February-March) every year. Large number of people flock to this temple on the 8th and 10th day of the festival when seven and half elephants made of gold (nearly 13 Kg) will be held in public view. The temple, the wealthiest Devaswom in Kerala, has many valuable possessions.

Event Date : 4 & 6 March 2009

[Perfection]

GURUVAYOOR FESTIVALS

One of the famous temples in India, Guruvayoor is in Chavakkad taluk, draws a vast concourse of pilgrims from every part of the country. Devotees are thronging to this temple not to see and appreciate the variety of its structural patterns or to revel in the festivals celebrated there, but only to feel the air of benediction that pervades this famous shrine of Guruvayoorappan and to invoke his blessings.

The important religious festivals celebrated in this temple are:

1. Ashtami Rohini in Chingom (August - September)
2. Sukla Paksha Ekadasi in Vrischikom (November-December)
3. Kuchela Day in Dhanu (December-January) the day on which Kuchela visited Sree Krishna with beaten rice.
4. Dhwaja Prathishta day (Erection of flag staff in the temple) on Makayiram Asterism in Makaram (January- February).
5. Vishukkani in Medam (April)
6. The ten days Utsavam commencing from Pooyam Asterism in Kumbhom (February-March).

Event Dates : 7 March 2009, Elephant race at 3 pm, 16 March 2009 - Aarattu, Vishu - 14 April 2009.

HARIPAD TEMPLE FESTIVAL

Sree Subrahmonia Swamy temple, at Haripad, is one of the oldest and most important temples devoted to Lord Subrahmonia. It is situated at the 53rd kilometre on the Kollam-Alapuzha highway. Annually three festivals are celebrated in this temple, of which the Chithira festival is the most important. It takes place in Medom (April-May). The procession with the golden peacock throne is quite attractive.

KANATHURKAVU UTSAVAM

Kanathurkavu is an ancient Hindu temple in the heart of Kannur consecrated to the Goddess Mahadevi and later to Sree Rama also. During the annual festival in April, thousands of people go there to witness Theyyattom, dance ritual of the Mahadevi and other Gods.

[Perfection]

KAPPALLY KUMBHAM THIRA

The Kappally temple, near Kappally palayat temple, where the Thira festival is conducted annually from 3rd to 13th of Kumbham (February-March) every year. The most important day of the festival is the 12th of Kumbham.

KODIYETTU UTSAVAM AT THIRUVARATTUKAVU BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE, ATTINGAL

The Kodiyettu Utsavam of this temple, dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathy, is celebrated in memory of the consecration of the temple. Commencing on the Makayiram day in Vrischikam, (November-December) it ends on the Uthram day.

KODUNGALLOOR BHARANI UTSAVAM

Kodungalloor the ancient capital of Kerala lying about twenty miles north-west of Eranakulam had a hoary past. The Kodungalloor Bhagavathi temple is one of the wealthiest temples in Kerala. Bhadrakali born of the third eye of Samhara Rudra, killed the demon Darika. It is to commemorate this event that the famous Bharani festival is celebrated in the Kodungalloor Bhagavathi temple in Meenam (March-April) every year.

Event Date : 29 March, 2009

KOODALMANICKAM UTSAVAM

The ancient and historic Koodalmanickam temple is situated in the Manavalassery village, about 9 km from the Irinjalakuda railway station. The deity of this temple is Sree Bharatha who is generally not found consecrated in Kerala temples. This temple is in the true architectural pattern of Kerala temples. The festival here is held annually for all days in Medom (April-May) from Utram to Thiruvonam asterisms.

KUMARANALLOOR THRIKKARTHIKA UTSAVAM

The Kumaranalloor temple is situated in the Perumbaikad village of Kottayam Taluk.

KOTTUVALLIKKAVU KUMBHA BHARANI

The Kuttuvallikkavu Bhagavathi temple is situated 15 km to the west of the Aluva railway station in the Kottuvally village of Paravur taluk. This temple is said to have been built by Kottaukal Padanayar from Kodungalloor (Cranganore).

[Perfection]

LOKANARKAVU UTSAVAM

Lokamalayarkavu, or Lokanarkavu Bhagvathi temple as is familiarly known, is situated at Memunda, 6 km east of Badagara in North Kerala. Two festivals are celebrated here annually in the months of Vrischikam (November-December) and Meenam (March-April). The festival in Vrischikam is known as Mandalavilakku, which is the most important one.

MANNARSALA UTSAVAM

In olden time every Hindu family in Kerala has a serpent-grove. Mannarsala, situated to the north-west of Sri Subramanyaswamy temple, Haripad, is the seat of the famous temple of Nagaraja (God of Serpents), the largest of its kind in Kerala. Built in a grove the temple is reputed for having 30,000 images of snake-Gods.

On the day of Ayilliam asterism in the months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in procession to the illam (family connected with the temple) where the offerings of Nurum Palum (rice flour and milk), Kuruthi (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime) and cooked rice are made. The oldest female member of the family carries the idol of the Nagaraja and the procession is conducted with great pomp and rejoicing.

Nenmara Vallangi Vela

In the Vallanghi village of Chittur Taluk, there is a beautiful temple dedicated to goddess Bhagavathi. The deity of this temple is called Nellikulangara Bhagavathi. To invoke the blessings of the Goddess, the people of Vallanghi and Nemmara conduct a festival of 20th Meenam (March-April) every year. This is the famous Vallanghi vela.

[Perfection]

THRISSUR POORAM

The most colourful temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram, attracts large masses of devotees and spectators form all parts of the State and even outside.

Celebrated in Medom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neigbouring temples to the Vadakunnatha temple, Thrissur. The most impressions are those from the Krishna temple at Thiruvambadi and the Devi temple at Paramekkavu, both situated in the town itself. This festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state. The Pooram festival is also well-known for the magnificent display of fireworks. It is celebrated by two rival groups representing the two divisions of Thrissur Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi vying with each other in making the display of fireworks grander and more colourful. Each group is allowed to display a maximum of fifteen elephants and all efforts are made by each party to secure the best elephants in South India and the most artistic parasols, several kind which are raised on the elephants during the display. The commissioning of elephants and parasols is done in the utmost secrecy by each party to excel the other. Commencing in the early hours of the morning, the celebrations last till the break of dawn, the next day.

Of the rival groups participating in the Pooram, the most important ones are those from Pramekkavu and Thiruvambadi. At the close of the Pooram both these groups enter the temple through the western gate and come out through the southern gate to array themselves, face to face, one from the round and other form the Municipal Office road. This spectacle is highly enchanting. Although this grand festival is known as Thrissur Pooram, it is in fact the conclusion of the eight day Utsavam of nine temples.

The procession of the Thiruvambadi Pooram to the grounds of Vadakkunnatha Temple and back is not only important, but also quite enlivening. The marvelous as well as magical effect of the 'Panchavadyam', a combination of five percussion and wind instruments, is to be felt and enjoyed.

Event Date : 03 May 2009

[Perfection]

SABARIMALA SHRINE

For many centuries Sabarimala in the south has been an important pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of devotees from all over India, especially from the southern states. The presiding deity at Sabarimala is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, who is considered a symbol of unity between the Vaishnavites and Saivites, his origin being traced to a union of Siva and Vishnu under special circumstances. He is also believed to have fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined his Supreme Self enshrined at Sabarimala. Some scholars say that Sastha images seen all over Kerala are those of Lord Buddha, but there are others who dispute this theory.

The temple is situated in the interior of the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats Sahyadri, and it is inaccessible except on foot. Pilgrims have to negotiate long shelter of the thick forests and tall mountains infested with all sorts of wild animals.

Pilgrimage to Sabarimala cannot be undertaken at all seasons, because it requires long preparation and fixed timings. A devotee who wishes to perform the pilgrimage should undergo forty-one days' Vritham' (penance) consisting of strict celibacy, morning and evening ablutions, growing of beard and daily prayers. Saranamvili or the call of dedication and refuge in Lord Ayyappa is an essential part of the daily worship.

January 14, every year synchronising with the day of Sankramom (crossing of the sun from Dhakshinayana to Uttarayana) is the most important festival day of the temple. On the above day, lakhs of pilgrims, each called an Ayyappa (assuming the very name of the Lord) flock to the shrine for worship. Here they see the 'Makara Vilakku' the appearance of a spontaneous phenomenon of strange light in the distance, indicating the presence of god, and return ennobled and strengthened in spirit. Situated not far from the Sabarimala temple, there is a shrine in the name of Vavar, a Muslim of great valour, who was thought to be a close associate of Sri Ayyappa. It is a rare feature of the pilgrimage to Sabarimala that the Hindu pilgrim offer worship at this shrine of Vavar also during their trip, indicating the communal harmony that prevailed in Kerala for ages. During the entire pilgrimage, all distinctions of caste and class are forgotten.

[Perfection]

SIVAGIRI MUTT

Sree Narayana Guru was the Kingpin of a social revolution which transformed the caste-ridden society of Kerala. His philosophy of 'one caste, one religion and one God for man' and 'man should progress whatever be the religion' had far-reaching impact. Though in a peaceful and democratic way he fought against the caste supremacy and the outlook of caste Hindus, unaccountability and religious fanaticism practiced by them. He even went to the extent of installing and consecration idols in temples to establish that the authority to perform religious rites does not rest only with caste-Hindus, especially Brahmins. The Sharada temple and his mutt at Sivagiri atop Varkala hill has now become a place of pilgrimage. The Guru Deva Jayanti, the birthday of the Guru, and the Samadhi day are befittingly celebrated in August and September respectively every year. On these days colourful processions, seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts and special rituals are held. In the last week of December, devotees of Sree Narayana Guru, donned in yellow attire stream to Sivagiri from different parts of Kerala and outside, in what may be called a pilgrimage of enlightenment. Seminars and discussions on various themes of modern life ranging from industrialisation to woman's emancipation are held during the days of pilgrimage. The Mahasamadhi of Sree Narayana Guru also attracts a large number of devotees and tourists.

SARKARA BHARANI AND KALIYOOTTU

The famed Sarkara Bhagvathi temple is situated at Sarkara village, near Chirayinkeezhu railway station. The festivals celebrated in this temple are Kaliyoottu in Kumbham and Bharani in Meenam (February-March). Kaliyoottu is celebrated to commemorate the fight between Darika and Bhadrakali.

SUNDARESWARA TEMPLE FESTIVAL, Kannur

This temple was founded in 1916 by Sree Narayana Guru, Lord Siva is the deity consecrated in the temple which has since been opened to all irrespective of caste or creed. Eight day festival is conducted in March-April every year.