Fairs and Festivals in Kerala

Onam Festival
Onam is one of the most famous and colorful festivals in Kerala, celebrated with much fervor and gaiety. Also known as Thiruvonam, the festival is celebrated by all citizens of Kerala, irrespective of caste, class, creed, community and social status. It is an essentially a harvest festival and is celebrated once a year during the Malayalam month of Chingom.
There are many interesting things that come associated with Onam. Primarily amongst these are the creation of Pookalam, with some great arrangements of colorful flowers which adorns almost every house. The celebration also include visiting temples, feasting with relatives and friends, gifting new clothes as well as participating in boat races and a number of other exciting sporting events. It is a great experience to arrive in Kerala during Onam.

Cochin Carnival
Cochin Carnival,Kerala Fair & Festivals Tour PackagesCochin Carnival is a merry making feast observed during the last week of every year in Fort Kochi in Kerala. The carnival dates back to the Portuguese New Year revelry held here during the colonial days. It has evolved as an occasion for the youth to enjoy the party-like atmosphere. With unique games, competitions and illumination during these days, Fort Kochi puts on a festive look. The highlight of the Carnival is the massive procession on the New Year Day. The procession is led by a caparisoned elephant accompanied by drums and music, spectacular floats, different folk art forms, Panchavadyam etc. north indian dances also figure in the festivities.

Muharram
Muharram is the opening month of the Hijra year. The 10th day of this month (May) is honoured by the Muslims of Kerala. As per belief, it was on this day that the Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his men were slain at Karbala. It is to bemoan the martyrdom of the Imam that the Muslims observe Muharram. Fasting is an important ritual of this day.

Pongala Festival
The festival is said to be one of the largest congregation of the female crowd and holds the Guinness Record for the same distinction. The festival is celebrated with a great joy and people, cutting across religion, caste and class take part in it with much fervor. Attukal Pogala Festival is celebrated in the honor of Attukal Devi, who is said to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Her temple is located close to the Thiruvananthapuram City. The festival is celebrated during the month of February/March. The custom is that the women from all over the city cook their offering-a sweetened dish made up of jaggery, rice and banana- and bring it to Attukal temple. The devotion of the people taking part in the festival is worth seeing and a great sight to capture into camera.

Vishu Festival
Vishu festival is the astrological New Year of Kerala celebrated in the month of April (first day of Malayalam month - Medam) is treated as good, lucky or fortunate day. There are many traditional vibrant rituals and customs performed by Keralites on Vishu day with fun, pleasure and happinessbut some of the major glimpse of Vishu festival are:Vishukani, Vishukaineetam and Vishu pulari. “Vishukani” is a collection of many prosperous things such as grains, vegetables( cucumber, tender mango, jackfruit), fruits, lamp (Nilavilakku), Konna flowers, coconut, gold, mirror, Ramayana or Bhagavad-Gita (Hindu holy books) etc. are arranged in a huge uruli (a circular plate made of panchaloham - five metals) with the picture of Lord Krishna in the puja room. The arrangement of the Vishukani is finished with huge care in the previous evening by the lady of the house.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race
“Nehru Trophy Boat Race” noted as the largest snake boat race in the world held every year on the second Saturday of August at Punnamada Lake near Alleppey is one of the most competitive and famous boat race in “God’s Own Country” and no wonder it is the best time to book Alleppey Tour Packages. Excluded from the snake boats with 100 to 120 rowers who dig or turn the water to the melody of the famous songs, there are many exclusive features of this event like ritual or formal water procession, wonderful water floats, decorated boats, vanchipattu, races of smaller country crafts, chundanvellom race which enthrall thousands of tourists to visit Alleppey and overwhelmed with an amazing treat.