Fair
& Festivals In Kerala
The colorful mosaic of Kerala fairs and festivals is as diverse
as the land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration, that
is an essential part of the State. Observed with enthusiasm and
gaiety, festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Kerala
tradition and culture. Round the year the fests keep Kerala life
vibrant and interludes in the mundane affairs of life.
Every
season turns up new festivals, each a true celebration of the
bounties of nature. The festivals exhibits an eternal harmony
of spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions
to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and
relatives and to exchange gifts.
New
attire, dance, music and ritual, all add to their joyful rhythm.
It is a time for prayer, for pageantry and processions and time
to rejoice. The important fairs and festivals in the state are:
Onam
: The 10 day festival is kerala's most important festival,
honouring King Mahabali, a mythological king of ancient Kerala,
whose period was reckoned as the golden age in the history of
the state. He was the embodiment of virtues, goodness, so was
his regime which was marked by equality and harmony among people.
Thrissur
Pooram : The most spectacular spectacle in the state. This
festival was introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of
erstwhile Kochi state. Celebrated in Medom (April-May) the festival
parades the fulgent faces of Kerala culture. With every passing
year Tthrissur Pooram, the temple festival, attracts large masses
of devotees and spectators.
Aranmula
Uthrittathi : The famous snake boat carnival on the Pampa,
held annually at Aranmula on the day of Uthrittathi asterism,
in connection with the Onam festival is to commemorate the crossing
of the river by Lord Krishna on that day. The deity is supposed
to be in all the boats that take part in the carnival and all
of them are expected to arrive at their destination simultaneously.
Easter
is the oldest Christian festival, as old as Christianity itself.
The central tenet of Christianity is not the birth of Jesus, but
his resurrection. Easter is derived from this paschal mystery
and from the events of Good Friday. Thiruvathira Festival - The
festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month
of Dhanu (December-January). On thiruvathira morning, devotees
throng Shiva temples for an early worship which is reckoned as
highly auspicious.
Tradition
says thiruvathira is celebrating the death of Kamadeva, the mythological
God of Love. According to another version, Thiruvathira is the
birthday of Lord Shiva. The festival has similarities to adra
darshan celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
Idul-Fitr,
of late known by the misnomer 'Ramadan' is one of the two festivals
of Islam. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year. During
this month the Muslims observe fast, giving up all kinds of food
and drink during day time, and spend the major part of the night
in devotion and prayer.
Makaravillakku
at Sabarimala : For centuries, Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta
has been a major pilgrim centre attracting lakhs of devotees from
all over India, more so from southern States. The presiding deity
is Lord Ayyappa known as Dharma Sastha, a considered symbol of
unity between Vaishnavites and Saivites. Darma Sastha is believed
to have fulfilled his mission in life and rejoined his Supreme
Self, enshrined at Sabarimala.
Vishu
: The Malayalam new year is celebrated by bursting crackers
and going to temple.
