Kerala celebrates traditional, religious, state and national festivals. These festivals are full of messages depicting one or more aspects of human life, relationships or ancient traditions. Some of the popular festivals are briefed below.
The Village Fair 
An entire village of the bygone days of rural Kerala is recreated with artisans, Nalukettu (traditional house), temple, astrologer etc., so that the visitors will be able to see and visualize how people of Kerala in those days went about their lives. The festival lasts for a week from 3rd January. The village is set near Kovalam with displays of cultural performances like kathakali, koodiyattam, kalaripayattu, theyyam etc.
The great Elephant Race
It is a four daylong extravaganza arranged by the tourism department of Kerala. 101 caparisoned elephants march from Thrissur on the 17th of every January reaching Thiruvananthapuram on the fourth day with stopovers at Kochi and Alappuzha. Boat races and folk art performances are arranged during this period where tourists can have glimpses of Kerala culture. The festival is concluded on the fourth day at Kovalam Beach with cultural programs and seaside barbecue.
Food Festival
The festival is conducted at Thiruvananthapuram during the 2nd week of February. Specialized chefs man stalls for each state. Spread through seven evenings, one can taste almost all types of delicacies of Indian cuisine from various regions of India those are prepared and sold. It will be worthwhile to have a go at the dishes from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
The festival is conducted at Thiruvananthapuram during the 2nd week of February. Specialized chefs man stalls for each state. Spread through seven evenings, one can taste almost all types of delicacies of Indian cuisine from various regions of India those are prepared and sold. It will be worthwhile to have a go at the dishes from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Onam Festival
Onam is a harvest festival celebrated throughout Kerala in August-September to welcome the yearly homecoming of the legendary King 'Mahabali' who was generous, just and kind. People decorate their homes, wear new cloths and hold special games and competitions.
Onam being the state festival, the tourism week is also celebrated with it. The streets of the capital are illuminated. Various cultural and traditional programs are staged at Kanakakunnu Palace and selected premises of the city. The tourism week concludes with a grand and colourful procession where floats and folk performances from every part of Kerala are presented.
Vetta & Arattu
This festival is celebrated twice in a year, once in Oct.-Nov. and other in March-April. Vetta represents Lord Vishnu hunting down the demon of evil in the forest. Late afternoon in the next day the Arattu procession begins. Images of Lord Padmanabha, Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimha are carried to the Arabian Sea at Sangumugham beach (Thiruvananthapuram), escorted by the members of the Royal Family. At sunset the images are ritually bathed in the sea. Returning the images in a procession back to the Padmanabhaswamy temple concludes the event. Several cultural programs including all-night Kathakali are performed during the festival.
This festival is celebrated twice in a year, once in Oct.-Nov. and other in March-April. Vetta represents Lord Vishnu hunting down the demon of evil in the forest. Late afternoon in the next day the Arattu procession begins. Images of Lord Padmanabha, Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimha are carried to the Arabian Sea at Sangumugham beach (Thiruvananthapuram), escorted by the members of the Royal Family. At sunset the images are ritually bathed in the sea. Returning the images in a procession back to the Padmanabhaswamy temple concludes the event. Several cultural programs including all-night Kathakali are performed during the festival.
Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur Pooram is the most colourful temple festival of Kerala. The festival attracts large masses of devotees and tourists from all parts of Kerala. Celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May) caparisoned elephant processions from neighbouring Krishna and Devi temples proceed to the Vadakunathan Temple. Saktan Tampuran, the ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Kochi introduced this festival. Though held in the premises of Vadakkunathan temple, Vadakkunathan is a mere spectator of the event. The best of the elephants will be displayed with panchavadyam (music by five percussion and wind musical instruments) followed by magnificent display of fireworks.
Thrissur Pooram is the most colourful temple festival of Kerala. The festival attracts large masses of devotees and tourists from all parts of Kerala. Celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medom (April-May) caparisoned elephant processions from neighbouring Krishna and Devi temples proceed to the Vadakunathan Temple. Saktan Tampuran, the ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Kochi introduced this festival. Though held in the premises of Vadakkunathan temple, Vadakkunathan is a mere spectator of the event. The best of the elephants will be displayed with panchavadyam (music by five percussion and wind musical instruments) followed by magnificent display of fireworks. Nehru Trophy Boat Race
One of the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala is the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race that began in 1952 when the erstwhile Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Alappuzha. The race is held every year on the second Saturday of August. Many gigantic snake boats with 100 rowers in each representing different villages take part in the race. Another Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in mid-January to promote tourism0
Athachamayam
It is a spectacular procession accompanied by caparisoned elephants and floats making the beginning of Onam Festival. Conducted at Thripunithura and Piravam, it displays folk and temple arts of Kerala.
It is a spectacular procession accompanied by caparisoned elephants and floats making the beginning of Onam Festival. Conducted at Thripunithura and Piravam, it displays folk and temple arts of Kerala.
Cochin Carnival
Celebrated in Kochi, The origin of the carnival is traced to the New Year celebration of the Portuguese during the colonial days. Noted for the unique games and competitions, the feast is observed during the last week of December with a grand procession on the New Year day.
Celebrated in Kochi, The origin of the carnival is traced to the New Year celebration of the Portuguese during the colonial days. Noted for the unique games and competitions, the feast is observed during the last week of December with a grand procession on the New Year day.
Indira Gandhi Boat race
The race is conducted in the Vembanad Lake (Kochi) during the last week of December to coincide with the tourism fair. Several snake boats representing different villages participate in this race.
Idul-Azha
Bakrid or Idul-Azha the festival of sacrifice, is the second of the two important festivals for Muslims in the state. In Kerala, as in other parts of the world, the day begins with every member of Muslim households dressing up in their best attire for prayers at the Id-Gah, the wide open space set aside for public prayers in towns and villages. The congregational prayers are led by the Imam.
After the ceremonial Id prayer, the Imam addresses the devotees, exhorting them to be conscious of their duties to God. Once the sermon is over, it is time to exchange greetings and the customary hug to signify brotherhood. The festivity continues at homes with celebratory feasts and social visits. Muslim women in Kerala pay visits to the neighbouring homes and take part in singing and dancing. In the evenings, special meetings are held in which members of non-Islamic communities participate. Such meetings are perfect examples of the spirit of tolerance and mutual friendship that exist between communities in the state.
The other more important Muslim festival is Idul-Fitr, which comes after a month of strict fasting. In certain parts of Kerala, some new practices in connection with the celebrations have been introduced like the invitation to members of sister communities to participate in Id functions.
Eid-ul-Fittr
Eid-ul-Fittr is celebrated in the month of January and marks the end of Ramazan (Ramadan), the Muslim time of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. Prayers are held in mosques and people and relatives meet to exchange greetings. Idi or presents are given to youngsters by the family elders.Legend says that the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the last ten days of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is historically associated with two important victories of Prophet Muhammad - the battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, according to Islamic beliefs, helps in developing self-control and is a way of getting closer to Allah. The festival of Eid ul Fitr marks the beginning of celebrations and merriment for a period extending over three days. Women prepare sweets at home and all Muslims are seen adorned with new dresses on this day. Eid ul Fitr is synonymous with joy and thanksgiving. Such is the spirit of this great festival that even a lot of Non-Muslims participate in Eid celebrations in India.
Meelad Shareef
The beginning of the celebration of the Meelad Shareef in its present form lies with the ruler of Irbil, Sultan Muzaffar whose full name is Abu Said Kukabri Ibn Zain al-Din Ali Ibn Baktagin, who is counted among the great Sultans and generous leaders. He was responsible for many other noble works as well. Among the many monuments set up by him was the Jami Muzaffari, which he had constructed near Mount Tasiyun.
Ibn Kathir (radi Allahu anhu) writes about Sultan Muzaffar as follows: “Sultan Muzaffar used to arrange the celebration of the Meelad Shareef with due honour, glory, dignity and grandeur. In this connection, he used to organise a magnificent festival. He was a pure-hearted, brave and wise Alim and a just ruler. May Allah shower His Mercy on him and grant him an exalted status. Sheikh Abu al-Khattab Ibn Dhiyah also wrote a book for him on the Meelad Shareef entitled ‘al-Tanwir fi Mawlid al-Bashir al-Nadhir’ (Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, the Warner). For this book Sultan Muzaffar awarded him a gift of one thousand dinars. Sultan Muzaffar remained the ruler until his death, which occurred in 630 A.H. in the city of ‘Akka when he had the Europeans under seige. In short he was a man of piety and noble disposition”.
Sibt Ibn al-Jauzi (radi Allahu anhu) wrote in “Mir’at al-Zaman” that one participant in the Meelad Shareef organised by Sultan Muzaffar states that on the royal table-spread were laid out five hundred prepared goats, ten thousand chickens, one hundred thousand earthen tumblers and thirty thousand baskets of sweet fruits. He further writes that eminent pious Ulama and illustrious Sufis used to attend the Meelad Shareef ceremony held by the Sultan, who used to honour them with robes of distinction and royal favour. For the Sufis there used to be a Mahfil-e-Sama from Zuhr until Fajr, in which the Sultan himself used to participate and derive ecstasy there-from together with the Sufis. Every year his expenditure on the Meelad Shareef amounted to three hundred thousand dinars. For those coming from outside (the city) he had a special guest house commissioned, where people from all walks of life used to come from different places and without any discrimination of status. The expenditure of that guest house used to be one hundred thousand dinars annually.
Similarly, he used to spend two hundred thousand dinars annually to ransom Muslim prisoners-of-war from the Europeans. Also for the maintenance of the two Harams and for providing water along the routes in Hijaz (for pilgrims), he used to spend three thousand dinars annually. These are in addition to the Sadaqat and charity that used to be given secretly. His wife, Rabi’ah Khatoon Bint Ayyub, the sister of Sultan Nasir Salahuddin narrates that her husband used to wear a garment (Qamis) of coarse cotton costing no more than five dirhams. She says that she once rebuked him for this, upon which he replied that his wearing a five-dirham garment and spending the rest of the money in charity is far better than wearing a costly garment and giving a poor or indigent person mere good wishes.
Christmas
The spirit of Christmas is evident in Kerala. Host to Christian missionaries through the centuries, the state's Christmas celebration is unique.
The birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 each year sees a variety of customs and ceremonies. To begin with there is the Christmas Star, the Christmas tree, the Crib, the Christmas cake, presents, and of course, Father Christmas, who is the star attraction for children. Though the Christmas tree is a comparatively new addition to Christmas celebrations in Kerala, it is the twinkling Christmas star put up at Christian homes or shops which sets the tone for a season of cheerfulness and joy. In cathedrals and churches, the nativity of Jesus is enacted through miniature models. Carols and songs developed from nativity plays are sung. Priests hold the Holy Mass in churches at midnight. Before the Mass begins, an image of the child Jesus is brought out by the priest, preceded by children holding lighted candles that are placed in the crib. Hymns are sung and crackers are burst to signify the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Later in the day, there is a feast with delicacies. Cakes are made at homes along with traditional Kerala sweets making Christmas a traditional Kerala festival.
Eid-ul-Fittr is celebrated in the month of January and marks the end of Ramazan (Ramadan), the Muslim time of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. Prayers are held in mosques and people and relatives meet to exchange greetings. Idi or presents are given to youngsters by the family elders.Legend says that the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the last ten days of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is historically associated with two important victories of Prophet Muhammad - the battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, according to Islamic beliefs, helps in developing self-control and is a way of getting closer to Allah. The festival of Eid ul Fitr marks the beginning of celebrations and merriment for a period extending over three days. Women prepare sweets at home and all Muslims are seen adorned with new dresses on this day. Eid ul Fitr is synonymous with joy and thanksgiving. Such is the spirit of this great festival that even a lot of Non-Muslims participate in Eid celebrations in India.
Meelad Shareef
The beginning of the celebration of the Meelad Shareef in its present form lies with the ruler of Irbil, Sultan Muzaffar whose full name is Abu Said Kukabri Ibn Zain al-Din Ali Ibn Baktagin, who is counted among the great Sultans and generous leaders. He was responsible for many other noble works as well. Among the many monuments set up by him was the Jami Muzaffari, which he had constructed near Mount Tasiyun.
Ibn Kathir (radi Allahu anhu) writes about Sultan Muzaffar as follows: “Sultan Muzaffar used to arrange the celebration of the Meelad Shareef with due honour, glory, dignity and grandeur. In this connection, he used to organise a magnificent festival. He was a pure-hearted, brave and wise Alim and a just ruler. May Allah shower His Mercy on him and grant him an exalted status. Sheikh Abu al-Khattab Ibn Dhiyah also wrote a book for him on the Meelad Shareef entitled ‘al-Tanwir fi Mawlid al-Bashir al-Nadhir’ (Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, the Warner). For this book Sultan Muzaffar awarded him a gift of one thousand dinars. Sultan Muzaffar remained the ruler until his death, which occurred in 630 A.H. in the city of ‘Akka when he had the Europeans under seige. In short he was a man of piety and noble disposition”.
Sibt Ibn al-Jauzi (radi Allahu anhu) wrote in “Mir’at al-Zaman” that one participant in the Meelad Shareef organised by Sultan Muzaffar states that on the royal table-spread were laid out five hundred prepared goats, ten thousand chickens, one hundred thousand earthen tumblers and thirty thousand baskets of sweet fruits. He further writes that eminent pious Ulama and illustrious Sufis used to attend the Meelad Shareef ceremony held by the Sultan, who used to honour them with robes of distinction and royal favour. For the Sufis there used to be a Mahfil-e-Sama from Zuhr until Fajr, in which the Sultan himself used to participate and derive ecstasy there-from together with the Sufis. Every year his expenditure on the Meelad Shareef amounted to three hundred thousand dinars. For those coming from outside (the city) he had a special guest house commissioned, where people from all walks of life used to come from different places and without any discrimination of status. The expenditure of that guest house used to be one hundred thousand dinars annually.
Similarly, he used to spend two hundred thousand dinars annually to ransom Muslim prisoners-of-war from the Europeans. Also for the maintenance of the two Harams and for providing water along the routes in Hijaz (for pilgrims), he used to spend three thousand dinars annually. These are in addition to the Sadaqat and charity that used to be given secretly. His wife, Rabi’ah Khatoon Bint Ayyub, the sister of Sultan Nasir Salahuddin narrates that her husband used to wear a garment (Qamis) of coarse cotton costing no more than five dirhams. She says that she once rebuked him for this, upon which he replied that his wearing a five-dirham garment and spending the rest of the money in charity is far better than wearing a costly garment and giving a poor or indigent person mere good wishes.
Christmas
The spirit of Christmas is evident in Kerala. Host to Christian missionaries through the centuries, the state's Christmas celebration is unique.
The birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 each year sees a variety of customs and ceremonies. To begin with there is the Christmas Star, the Christmas tree, the Crib, the Christmas cake, presents, and of course, Father Christmas, who is the star attraction for children. Though the Christmas tree is a comparatively new addition to Christmas celebrations in Kerala, it is the twinkling Christmas star put up at Christian homes or shops which sets the tone for a season of cheerfulness and joy. In cathedrals and churches, the nativity of Jesus is enacted through miniature models. Carols and songs developed from nativity plays are sung. Priests hold the Holy Mass in churches at midnight. Before the Mass begins, an image of the child Jesus is brought out by the priest, preceded by children holding lighted candles that are placed in the crib. Hymns are sung and crackers are burst to signify the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Later in the day, there is a feast with delicacies. Cakes are made at homes along with traditional Kerala sweets making Christmas a traditional Kerala festival.
Easter
Easter, the oldest Christian festival, is celebrated in Kerala, with the same enthusiasm and solemnity as in any other part of the world and is held with Easter Sunday sometime between March 22 and April 25. The celebrations commemorate the central tent of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter in Kerala has four distinct periods beginning with Lent, the 40 days of fasting and preparation for the resurrection of Christ. Then comes the Holy Week including the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The third period is the Octave of Easter, when a large number of children are baptized and lastly Easter extending over 40 more days. On Holy Thursday, to celebrate the Lord's supper and the traditional washing of feet is carried out to stress the love for one another. At most Christian homes, the rite of the pashcal bread is carried out. After dinner, the 'cross cake' is brought out, cut into pieces and distributed among each member of the family.
The next day, Good Friday is a day of grief when churches remain empty. Services are held in the afternoon and in most churches a bitter drink made from leaves and vinegar among other things is served to everyone. The next day, Holy Saturday is a day of mourning when no services are held in the churches for the whole day. However, by ten at night, the churches are full to observe the Easter Vigil. In the darkness, a new fire is lit and blessed. A candle is then consecrated and from it, many more candles are lit to indicate the resurrection. The church bells are rung, there is music in the air while the church and surrounding areas are lit. The next day, Sunday is a quiet day ends with a lavish dinner at homes and visit of relatives.
Easter, the oldest Christian festival, is celebrated in Kerala, with the same enthusiasm and solemnity as in any other part of the world and is held with Easter Sunday sometime between March 22 and April 25. The celebrations commemorate the central tent of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter in Kerala has four distinct periods beginning with Lent, the 40 days of fasting and preparation for the resurrection of Christ. Then comes the Holy Week including the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The third period is the Octave of Easter, when a large number of children are baptized and lastly Easter extending over 40 more days. On Holy Thursday, to celebrate the Lord's supper and the traditional washing of feet is carried out to stress the love for one another. At most Christian homes, the rite of the pashcal bread is carried out. After dinner, the 'cross cake' is brought out, cut into pieces and distributed among each member of the family.
The next day, Good Friday is a day of grief when churches remain empty. Services are held in the afternoon and in most churches a bitter drink made from leaves and vinegar among other things is served to everyone. The next day, Holy Saturday is a day of mourning when no services are held in the churches for the whole day. However, by ten at night, the churches are full to observe the Easter Vigil. In the darkness, a new fire is lit and blessed. A candle is then consecrated and from it, many more candles are lit to indicate the resurrection. The church bells are rung, there is music in the air while the church and surrounding areas are lit. The next day, Sunday is a quiet day ends with a lavish dinner at homes and visit of relatives.
No comments:
Post a Comment