Top 10 Most Famous Festivals of Kerala 2023

Kerala, a state in southern India, has beautifully embraced its traditions and cultures. Not only does the state have the highest literacy rate in the nation, but it is also extremely diverse in terms of race and religion. The 500-year-old dance form known as Kathakali, which is highly regarded all over the world, serves as an example of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. Kerala’s countless more breathtaking features enlighten the heart in countless different ways. While Kerala is always ecstatic and overflowing with joy, its festivities bring Kerala to a whole other level of joy. The well-known festivals of Kerala are listed below; have a look and be moved,

Famous Festivals of Kerala

1. Onam Festival

This ten-day celebration, which is Kerala’s state festival, infuses the region with dazzling liveliness. Because of its immense importance, the entire state enjoys a four-day holiday during the festival. The celebrated festival of Onam takes place in Kerala during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug- Sep). It is a holiday to honor Vamana, a Vishnu incarnation. Mahabali, a renowned ruler, also made his way home during this period, which is cause for rejoicing as well.

Onam Festival

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2. Attukal Pongala

Kerala’s Attukal Pongala is a religious celebration honoring Goddess Bhagavathi. Attukal Pongala, which is observed for 10 days at the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, is the largest gathering of women in history. The most intriguing aspect of this celebration is that men are not allowed anywhere near the temple complex because it is a women-only event.

Also Read: Top 10 Most Famous Festivals of Rajasthan 2023

Thrissur Pooram Festival

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3. Thrissur Pooram Festival

A well-known celebration in Kerala is the Thrissur Pooram Festival. This celebration honors the temple and displays the bright hues of Keralan culture. Twelve or so temples band together to observe this eight-day celebration. The celebration comes to an end with Thrissur Pooram, which is enthusiastically observed on the final day. The festival takes place in the month of Medam in Malayalam (Apr-May). There are parades, music performances, fireworks displays, flag-raising ceremonies, and much more during these eight days.

Thrissur Pooram Festival

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4. Kerala Boat Festival

The state is made glittery not only by its immaculate shoreline but also by the fabled Kerala Backwater. The state’s backwaters in Kerala are nourished by lakes, rivers, and the Arabian Sea. New games and festivals have been introduced as a result of this proximity. Teamwork is best exemplified by the Kerala Boat Festival.

Numerous individuals concurrently propel boats of various sizes forward. You can observe the people’s passion for attending and cheering the event way beyond only the race’s physical location. Champakulam Moolam, the Alleppey Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the Uthrattadi Vallom Kali Boat Race, and Payippad Jalotsavam are a few of the most well-known boat races.

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Kerala Boat Festival

5. Vishu Festival

In Kerala, Vishu is referred to as Bisu; in Karnataka. April is the month for this South Indian holiday. On the morning of Vishu, a sacred ceremony of Vishukkani is performed to make certain that on this day, the adherents view things associated with prosperity as soon as they get up and put on fresh clothing.

The prayer hall is decorated with objects that represent wealth, including metal mirrors, rice, yellow flowers, betel leaves, fruits, vegetables, holy texts, etc. The next step is for devotees to visit temples; the busiest ones during Vishu are Sabarimala Ayyapan Temple and Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. People partake in celebratory feasts and fireworks at night while the day goes on.

Vishu Festival

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6. Makaravilakku at Sabarimala Festival

A seven-day festival called Makaravilaku kicks out on January 14 every year in Sabarimala. Lord Ayyappa, commonly known as “Hari Hara Putra,” is the subject of the temple. Vishnu is referred to as Hari, Shiva as Hara, and their son as Putra. People who follow Lord Shiv (Saivites) and Lord Vishnu are united by Lord Ayyappa (Vaishnites). With a box of the god’s jewelry on his head, a priest dances. To infuse the aura and soul with sanctity, some chants are repeated. A “Guruthi” ceremony, in which the Lord is offered, marks the conclusion of the festival. Everyone leaves the temple after “Guruthi,” and nobody hangs around.

Also Read: Top 10 Most Famous Festivals of Karnataka 2023

Makaravilakku at Sabarimala Festival

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7. Theyyam Festival

Theyyam is a kind of worship practiced mostly in the Keralan districts of North Malabar, Kudagu, and Kolathunadu. A human dances on a stone platform while disguising themselves as a deity in this 400-type cultural performance. The person dancing is adorned with a profusion of folk art. There are three stages for the dancer to go through. One begins by dressing up with flowers, colors, masks, etc. The second is self-punishment, and the third is maintaining rhythm while dancing. Theyyam typically occurs in December each year, and those who go experience a new degree of happiness. For centuries, Kerala has relied on this pageantry of ethnicity, penance, and flow.

Theyyam Festival

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8. Christmas Festival

Christmas is a tremendously celebrated holiday that is highly significant everywhere. Kerala is one of the few Indian states where Christmas is observed in a very magnificent manner. During this time, people visit churches to offer earnest prayers, exchange gifts and decorate Christmas trees. Every year, Christmas falls on December 25, and the entire month, Kerala’s streets and homes are alive with energy. In this country, Christmas is more than just a day off; people observe it with devotion by praying and keeping Jesus Christ in their thoughts throughout the year.

Christmas Festival Kerala

9. Painkuni Festival

The Painkuni Celebration, which lasts for ten days and is the most well-known festival in Kerala, is lavishly celebrated at the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The head of the Travancore Royal Family performs the royal hunt ritual, or Palli Vetta, on the ninth day of the Painkuni festival close to the Vettakkorumakan Temple in the Fort district. To please Indra, the Rain God, huge fiberglass statues of the Pandavas have been erected at the eastern gate of the temple. Near Shanghumugham beach, on the tenth day of the festival, these statues are submerged in the water. It is one of the most important festivals of Kerala.

Painkuni Festival

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10. Adoor Gajamela

Adoor Gajamela is an elephant festival observed in Kerala to commemorate Lord Krishna, as the name implies. The ten-day Adoor Gajmela festival is annually observed with considerable zeal. Along with the procession of nine powerful elephants that are exquisitely decorated with paint and metal ornaments, several cultural programs are organized. Adoor Gajamela, also known as the grand fair of tuskers, is a visual feast for those who enjoy taking in Kerala’s distinctive traditions.

Adoor Gajamela

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These are the top 10 famous festivals of Kerala. Kindly share and do post your comments.

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