Fairs
& Festivals of Kerala :
In kerala, life is a celebration. A close look at the kerala calendar will
reveal that this is a land where the festivals never end, adding to the
magnificance of the festivals of kerala are fleets of caparisoned elephants,
mounted by men holding white plumes swaying in the air the - most
breathtaking of kerals's visual wonders. While there is no dearth of
festivals in the state, the excitement speaks during the season of onam,
exemplified in the legendary boat races and the week - long festivities,
understandably, all these celebrations take place with a lot of fanfare.
Maramom Convention :
16 km from thiruvalla, pathanamthitta, on the banks of river pamba in
february, every year.
Highlights -
» Considered the largest gathering of christians in asia.
» Bible study and discourses by scholars from india and abroad.
» Religious readings
» Hymnals
» Faith healing sessions
» People arrive in country crafts (valloms)
Nehru
Trophy Boat Race :
This is the greatest event on the backwaters of kerala, is held on the
second saturday of august every year. Magnificent snakeboats compete for the
prized trophy which was instituted by jawaharlal nehru, the first prime
minister of india.
Highlights -
»
Ceremonial water procession
» Spectacular water floats
» Decorated boats
» Vanchipattu
» Races of smaller country crafts
» Chundanvellom race.
Onam :
Onam is the annual harvest festival of kerala. Celebrations are on for ten
days, beginning with the atham day of the malayalam month chingam.
Highlights -
» Floral decorations
» Elephant processions
» Thiruvathirakali
» Classical and folk dance performances
» Classical and folk music recitals
» Cultural pageants
» Water carnivals
Rajiv
Gandhi Boat Race :
The event is a memorial to the former prime minister.
Highlights -
»
Colourful water procession
» Water floats
» Boat races
Thrissur Pooram :
This festival held at Thekinkadu Maidan at Thrissur in the month of May
Highlights -
» Pageant of 30 caparisoned elephants assembled in the
precincts of the vadakumnathan temple.
» The nearby paramekavu and thiruvambadi temples are also
participants in the festival.
» Kudamattam (changing of umbralla from hands to hands)
» Chendamelain (kind of drums)
» Panchavadyam (five typical instruments played)
» Spectacular fireworks display
