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Kerala Fairs and Festivals
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 Festival - The 10 day Onam 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 a
t 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.
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