Onam
(August - September)
Onam is one of the most widely celebrated
festivals of Kerala, and it commemorates
the legendary rule of King
Mahabali, during which time the people
were so happy that it aroused the jealousy of the
gods
To mark the Onam festivities, the Tourism
Week is celebrated in
the state especially in Thiruvananthapuram
during which the streets
in the city are illuminated and a unique package of
traditional
and cultural programmes are staged at the Kanakakkunnu
Palace
and other landmark points. It culminates in a colourful
carnival which the vast majority of the populace turn
out to watch.
Arattu
The vetta and arattu processions are
held twice a year from the
Padmanabhaswamy Temple to Shanghumugham
Beach, led by the
members of the royal family of erstwhile
Travancore. The idols from
the temple are subjected to a ritual
purification in the sea. Cultural
performances, including Kathakali,
are staged during the occasion.
Attukal
Pongala
The
ten day Pongala festival held at Attukal
Bhagavathy Temple, 2 km from Thiruvananthapuram,
attracts thousands of female devotees from many parts
of the country.
Men
are not allowed in the vicinity of
the temple during the Pongala. Pongala
is a kind of sweet porridge,
considered to be the goddess1
favourite offering. It is cooked by
each devotee in a clay pot on an open fire and the
long line of women making the ritual offering extends
up to East Fort and beyond.
Chandanakudam Maholsavam
This
colourful Islamic festival is
celebrated to commemorate Bee Umma, a saintly lady,
whose tomb
is in Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram.
Devotees bring money in pots decorated with flowers,
incense sticks and sandalwood paste, as an offering
during the festival
Nishagandhi
Dance and Music Festival
(February)
This
festival
of Indian classical dances and music is held at the
Nishagandhi
open air theatre, Kanakakunnu Palace grounds,Thiruvananthapuram.
• Bharathanatyam • Kathak • Kathakali•
Kuchipudi • Manipuri • Mohiniyattom • Odissi • Specially
choreographed ballet combining one or more of these
classical dance forms • Classical music (insturmental
and vocal) • Jugalbandi (concertos) are performed
in the evenings.
Gramam
(the Kerala village fair), Kovalam
(January)
An
entire
Kerala village is recreated on the
beach, during this ten day long festival. The traditional
nalukettu (the quadrangular upper class house with
a central open courtyard) and its premises become
the venue of the fair, where the culture, arts and
crafts of Kerala come
alive. Festival highlights: • Arts and crafts fair
• Kathakali
Thiruvathirakali • Mohiniattam • Oppana • Kalaripayattu
Sarpapattu • Theyyam • Kummattikali • Kakkarisi natakam
Panchavadyam • Chakyarkoothu • Ottanthullal
Flavour
Food Festival (April)
Renowned
hotels from across Kerala
participate in this week long international festival
of the various cuisines of the world held at the Kanakakunnu
Palace grounds,
Thiruvananthapuram.
