Kerala is the land of Festivals and Festivals are true celebrations of Kerala, the God’s Own Country. Be it the state festival of Onam and Vishu or the one at a local place of worship, new attire and sumptuous feasts are a must for the celebrations.
Besides being occasions for merry-making, festivals of Kerala have traditionally been preservers of the art and culture of this land. Whether religious or social, traditional or modern, a festival here is never complete without an art event which would range from the 2000-year-old Kutiyattam to contemporary stage shows
Theyyam
Chonamma Bhagavathi-Theyyam
Theyyam and Thira (Teyyam, Theyyattam ), also known as Kaliyattam is a popular ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area and in Kodagu and Tulu Nadu of Karnataka. The Theyyam is a performance art and people of these districts consider Theyyam itself as Gods and they seek blessings from Theyyam. Durind the month of Oct to June almost every day you have a Theyyam somewhere (in a Temple or Kavu or Ancestral Homes) in North Kerala.
Vallam kali-The Boat Race of Kerala
North Malabar Vallam Kali
Boat race or Vallam Kali or Vallamkali is the internationally famous boat race of Kerala and every year lakhs of people arrive at Kerala to witness the event. It is a form of canoe racing, and uses paddled war canoes. The boat races are mainly conducted during the Onam season which is the harvest festival of Kerala. Vallam Kali includes races of many kinds of paddled longboats, the traditional boats of Kerala. Initially vallam Kali was the festival of southern Kerala but now Northers Kerala also started many Vallam Kali in their area.
Pooram, The Temple Festival of Kerala
The temple festival in the Central Kerala is commonly known as Pooram. The most popular pooram is the Thrissur Pooram which is a world famous Temple festival in Kerala. The pooram Festival is characterised by vibrant colours, spectacular fireworks, vibrant music like Pancharimelam, elephant decorations and March past, Kudamattam and much more….
Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam
Kottiyoor Vysakha Mahotsavam
The Vaisakha Maholsavam festival, the festival of nature, Rain, River, Hills and Forests is held every year during the months of May – June on the banks of Bavali River at the Kottiyoor Temple. The festival is held at the Akkare Kottiyoor, (Kizhakkeshwaram) temple which is on the eastern bank of Bavali River, a temporary hermitage (Yaga shrine) opened only during the Vysakha festival.
Kalpathi Ratholsavam
Kalpathi Ratholsavam or the Kalpathi Chariot Festival also known as Kalpathy Theru festival is the famous festival of Palakkad District. The annual festival is held at the famous Viswanathaswamy Temple in the village of Kalpathi.
Jabri Festival
The Jabri festival is held once in every 12 years in the Mahothobhara Mahalingeshwara Temple in Kerala border village Nettanige of Kasaragod. The actual Jabri festival is held in the Cave in the Banthaje Forset in the Belur Panchayath in the Kerala Karnataka border.