Temple Festivals

| Arattu at Thiruvananthapuram
Arattu festival is the closing ceremony of the ten day festival in the Lord Padmanabha temple at Thiruvananthapuram.
There are two such festivals every year. One takes place in the Malayalam month of Thulam (October-November) and the other in Meenam (March-April).

| Ambalapuzha Arattu
The Sree Krishnaswamy temple at Ambalapuzha is dedicated to Parthasarathy was established by the Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran in the year 790 M.E. He offered his state to Sree Krishna and ruled the country as his regent after assuming the name of Deva Narayana.
The Arattu festival of this temple commences with the flag hoisting ceremony on the Atham day in Meenam (March-April). The important Arattu Utsavam, however, takes place on the Thiruvonam day in Meenam
| Aranmula uthrittathi
For ages, Keralites have cherished a reverential attitude to rivers. When the weather becomes delightfully pleasant and the nature exults in her full glory, it is the apt time for Keralites to hold the Jalotsavam (water - carnivals).
Boat race is in a way a display of physical might of the people who forget their differences in partaking in this sport. In that respect, the boat race is symbolic of the Jalotsavams in Kerala. The most famous is the Aranmula Snake Boat Race conducted on the Uthrittathi day of Chingom (August-September).

| ashtami at vaikom
The Mahadeva Temple at Vaikom is one of the most famous and oldest Siva temples in Kerala
The utsavam in this temple is celebrated for twelve days during the dark lunar fortnight of Vrischikam, (November-December) the Ashtami falling on the last day.
During the night on the Ashtami day the deities of the neighbouring temples will be ceremoniously brought in procession to this temple.


| attukal ponkala

There is an ancient Bhagavathy temple (Mudipura) at Attukal in the Kaladi ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The most important festival in this temple, generally known as Attukal Ponkala commences on Bharani day in Kumbhom (February-March) and continues for nine days.
The festival begins with Thottampattu (a song about Bhagavathy) which goes on during all the nine days. On the ninth day, several thousands of women assemble in the temple compound with ponkala pots and the required quantities of rice and other ingredients for ponkala.


| Adoor Gajamela
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.



| kuthiyottam and kettukazhcha

Chettikulangara temple near Kayamkulam is one of the famous Devi Temples in Kerala. The Bharani Utsavam celebrated in Kumbham (February-March) in this temple is quite an event to the local people as well as to those residing in the neighbouring villages.

| chittoor konganpada
Konganpada is a grand festival of historical significance celebrated in the Bhagavathy temple at Chittur' ten kilometer from Palakkad town.
A unique festival it is held every year on the first Monday after the dark lunar night in Kumbham (February -March) to commemorate the victory of Nairs of Chittur over the militia of Konganadu (Coimbatore) led by the then Chola King Rajadhi Raja.


| Chottanikkara Makam
The "Makam" star is one of the most auspicious days during the period of the annual festival.Devotees from all over the country swarm in to the temple on that day. The ritualistic bath of "Devi" in ceremonial pond in the morning at the sacred pond at Onakkoor far on the northern side of the Temple. After this "Devi" accompanied by Lord Sastha on the back of the eleven caparisoned elephants march towards the "Pooraparambhu" the traditional vantage point where they remain till 11 a.m.

| Ettumanoor festival
possessions The arattu festival of this temple is celebrated on a grand scale on the Thiruvathira day in Kumbham (February-March) every year. Large number of people flock to this temple on the 8th and 10th day of the festival when seven and half elephants made of gold (nearly 13 Kgms) will be held in public view. The temple, the wealthiest Devaswom in Kerala, has many valuable.


| guruvayoor festival
The important religious festivals celebrated in this temple are:
1. Ashtami Rohini in Chingom (August - September)
2. Sukla Paksha Ekadasi in Vrischikom (November-December)
3. Kuchela Day in Dhanu (December-January) the day on which Kuchela visited Sree Krishna with beaten rice.
4. Dhwaja Prathishta day (Erection of flag staff in the temple) on Makayiram Asterism in Makaram (January- February).
5. Vishukkani in Medam (April)
6. The ten days Utsavam commencing from Pooyam Asterism in Kumbhom (February-March).


| Haripad temple festival
Annually three festivals are celebrated in this temple, of which the Chithira festival is the most important. It takes place in Medom (April-May). The procession with the golden peacock throne is quite attractive.

| Kanathurkava uthsavam
During the annual festival in April, thousands of people go there to witness Theyyattom, dance ritual of the Mahadevi and other Gods.


| Kappally kumbham thira
There is a temple about half a kilometer to the east of the Kappally palayat temple. This is the Kappally temple where the Thira festival is conducted annually from 3rd to 13th of Kumbham (February-March) every year. The most important day of the festival is the 12th of Kumbham.

| Kodiyettu uthsavam
The Kodiyettu Utsavam of this temple, dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathy, is celebrated in memory of the consecration of the temple. Commencing on the Makayiram day in Vrischikam, (November-December) it ends on the Uthram day.


| Kodungallore bharani uthsavam
Kodungallore, the ancient capital of Kerala lying about twenty miles north-west of Ernakulam had a hoary past. The Kodungallore Bhagavathy temple is one of the wealthiest temples in Kerala.
Bhadrakali born of the third eye of Samhara Rudra, killed the demon Darika. It is to commemorate this event that the famous Bharani festival is celebrated in the Kodungallore Bhagavathy temple in Meenam (March-April) every year.


| koodal manickom uthsavam

The ancient and historic Koodalmanickam temple is situated in the Manavalassery village, about nine kilometers from the Irinjalakuda railway station.
The deity of this temple is Sree Bharatha who is generally not found consecrated in Kerala temples. This temple is in the true architectural pattern of Kerala temples. The festival here is held annually for all days in Medom (April-May) from Utram to Thiruvonam asterisms

| kumaranalloor thrikarthika uthsavam
The Kumaranalloor temple is situated in the Perumbaikad village of Kottayam Taluk

| kottuvillikavu kumbha bharani
The Kottuvillikavu Bhagavathy temple is situated 15 kilometers to the west of the Aluva railway station in the Kottuvally village of Paravur taluk. This temple is said to have been built by Kottaukal Padanayar from Kodungallore

| Kalapathy Ratholsavam
Kalpathy Ratholsavam (the last three days of the annual seven day chariot festival) is held at the Sree Viswanathaswamy Temple at Kalpathy in Palakkad District. The temple is over 700 years old. Vedic recitals, spectacular procession of beautifully decorated temple chariots drawn through the streets by thousands of devotees are the highlights of the festival.


| Kuttikkol Thampuratty Theyyam

The Kuttikkol Thampuratty Theyyam festival which showcases most of the major Theyyams is a fascinating event. The festival with its psychedelic colour and pageantry is unforgettable.
The event is held at Kuttikkol Thampuratty Bhagavathy Temple at Kuttikkol near Erinhipuzha, Kasaragod.
Event begins : February 22- 26, 2006

| Lokanarkavu uthsavam
Lokamalayarkavu, or Lokanarkavu Bhagavathy temple as is familiarly known, is situated at Memunda, six kilometers east of Badagara in North Kerala.
Two festivals are celebrated here annually in the months of Vrischikam (November-December) and Meenam (March-April). The festival in Vrischikam is known as Mandalavilakku, which is the most important one.


| Mannarsala uthsavam
On the day of Ayilliam asterism in the months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October), all the serpent idols in the grove and temple are taken in procession to the illam (family connected with the temple) where the offerings of Nurum Palum (rice flour and milk), Kuruthi (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime) and cooked rice are made. The oldest female member of the family carries the idol of the Nagaraja and the procession is conducted with great pomp and rejoicing.


| Nellikulangara vela
In the Vallanghi village of Chittur Taluk , there is a beautiful temple dedicated to goddess Bhagavathy . The deity of this temple is called Nellikulangara Bhagavathy .
To invoke the blessings of the Goddess, the people of Vallanghi and Nemmara conduct a festival of 20th Meenam (March-April) every year. This is the famous Vallanghi vela.


| Thrissur pooram
The most colorful temple festival of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram, attracts large masses of devotees and spectators form all parts of the State and even outside.
Celebrated in Medom (April-May) it consists of processions of richly caparisoned elephants from various neighbouring temples to the Vadakunnatha temple, Thrissur.


| Sabarimala shrine
The shrine teems with devotees especially during the main pilgrim season from November to January. Mandalapooja and Makaravilakku are the two main events of the pilgrim season.
The temple stays closed during the rest of the year except for the first five days of every Malayalam month and during Vishu (April).
A pilgrim attending the Mandalapooja should observe austerities for 41 days. During this period, the pilgrim should abstain himself from non- vegetarian habits and cardinal pleasures


| Sharkara bharani and kaliyootu
The famed Sarkara Bhagavathy temple is situated at Sarkara village, near Chirayinkeezhu railway station. The festivals celebrated in this temple are Kaliyoottu in Kumbham and Bharani in Meenam (February-March). Kaliyootu is celebrated to commemorate the fight between Darika and Bhadrakali
| Sivagiri matt
The Guru Deva Jayanti, the birthday of the Guru, and the Samadhi day are befittingly celebrated in August and September respectively every year. On these days colorful. processions, seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts and special rituals are held.
In the last week of December, devotees of Sree Narayana Guru, donned in yellow attire stream to Sivagiri from different parts of Kerala and outside, in what may be called a pilgrimage of enlightenment.

| Sivarathri
There is no other place in Kerala where Sivarathiri is celebrated on such a grand scale as in Aluva.The festival is held on the banks of Periyar at Alwaye .The sand bank is extensive and the pilgrims running into several thousands congregate here. People belonging to all classes, castes and creeds assemble for this festival, The pilgrims keep awake the whole night and return home next morning after performing Bali. There are shows, dances etc. meant for keeping the pilgrims awake throughout the night.


| Sundareshwara temple festival

This temple was founded in 1916 by Sree Narayana Guru , Lord Siva is the deity consecrated in the temple which has since been opened to all irrespective of caste or creed. Eight -day festival is conducted in March- April every year.



| Thirunakkara uthsavam

The grandest festival of this temple is the "Arattu Utsavam" lasting for ten days from the 1st Meenam (March-April) which is attended by hundreds of thousands of people, irrespective of caste or creed.

| Thiruvathira
The Thiruvathira festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). The people celebrate this festival upon age-old tradition and they do it with great joy and respect for the past.
The Ardra Darshan celebrated in Tamil Nadu corresponds to Thiruvathira of Kerala. It is considered to be high auspicious to worship Siva and the devotees go to the temple before sunrise for 'darshan'.


| Thrichambaram uthsavam
Thrichambaram temple dedicated to Sree Krishna is located at the Taliparamba village, about 14 kilometer from Pappinisserry railway station. The annual festival at this temple lasts for 14 days from 22nd Kumbaham (February-March).

| varkala janardhana swamy temple Arattu

The Janardhanaswamy Temple at Varkala is about three kilometers form the Varkala railway station. The Arattu festival at this temple is celebrated every year in Meenam (March-April) commencing with Kodiyettu (Flag hoisting) of Karthika day ending with Arattu on Uthram day. The festival lasts for ten days.
On an average more than ten thousand people gather everyday to attend the festival. A colorful. procession led by caparisoned elephants in which ornamental silk umbrellas, peacock fans etc. are carried, which is one of the prominent features of the festival.

| Vaikathashtami Festival

The sacred Ashtami festival of the temple takes place during the dark lunar fortnight of the Malayalam month Vrischikam (Sagittarius) which concludes on the Ashtami day.This year the event is on 24 Nov. On the Ashtami night, Thidampu, a symbolic idol of the Lord Siva (known here as Vaikom Mahadeva) is taken out in procession. On its way, many deities from nearby temples join the procession. The cultural fare includes classical music and dance performances including night-long Kathakali performances on the eighth and ninth days.

| Theyyam
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, 2005
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.


| Uthralikavu Pooram

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.