Fairs & Festivals of India 2011

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On February first week at Parthasarathy temple, Adoor, (near KSRTC bus stand, Adoor), Pathanamthitta district the event Adoor Gajamela takes place.

Gajamela or the elephant pageant on the concluding day is the highlight of the 10-day annual festival at the Sree Parthasarathy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sree Krishna, known here in the name of Parthasarathy (Partha's charioteer; Partha (Arjuna) was one of the five Pandava princes, the heroes of the epic, Mahabharatha). Majestically caparisoned elephants take part in this spectacular procession.

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Chengannur, about 25 km away.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 92 km away

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Theyyam, the colourful ritual dance of Kerala is one of the oldest art forms of India. It incorporates dance, mime and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures, which attached great importance to the worship of heroes and ancestral spirits.

Venue: Perumthitta Tharavad, Kottamkuzhy, Kasaragod District.

Event Date: From Dec 6 to Dec 15, 2010

Perumthitta Theyyam festival at which most of the Theyyam forms are on display is truly a grand affair. The pomp and splendour of the Theyyams are bewitching and help keep alive this age-old tradition.

Getting there:
By road: Bekal-Palakunnu-Mudiyakkal-Chandrapuram-Perumthatta.
Nearest railway station: Kasaragod, about 26 km away.
Nearest airport: Mangalore, in the neighbouring state of Karnataka, about 50 km away from Kasaragod.

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The annual festival at the Sree Ruthira Mahakaalikavu Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is the most famous event in the region and is called the Uthralikavu Pooram. The eight-day celebration is highlighted by day-and-night elephant processions. The concluding day of the festival is celebrated as pooram day, when about 21 elephants in traditional caparisons line up with colourful parasols, swaying venchamarams (white tufts like those used for cheerleading) and Aalavattams (peacock-feather fans). Traditional musical ensembles like the Panchavadyam and the Pandimelam add rhythm to this magical spectacle. The cultural fare during the festival includes temple and folk art performances.

Venue: Sree Ruthira Mahakalikavu Temple near Vadakkancherry, Thrissur district.