HOME»Fairs & Festivals in Kerala

Fairs & Festivals in Kerala

 

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.

Aranmula Vallamkali


Onam Festivals - Fairs in Kerala

10 km from chengannur. This traditional boat race conducted at sree parthasarathy temple, aranmula in connection with the onam celebrations is more of a water fiesta than a competition.


Champakulam Boat Race


This is one of the most popular boat races of kerala.

Highlights
  • » Pceremonial water procession.
  • » Spectacular water floats.
  • » Decorated boats.
  • » Vanchipattu (folk song of the oarsmen) The chundanvallom (snake boat, over 100 feet in length, with a Raised prow similar to the hood of a snake) race

Christmas


Deepavali - Fairs in Kerala

Christmas is celebrated with equal enthusiasm by all communities in kerala.

Highlights
    » Stars decorate houses right from the second week of december. » Christmas trees, decoration and festive music ring through the state. » Midnight mass and special rites at all christian churches. » Social and cultural events. » Fireworks and colourful illuminations.

Deepavali


Another national festival. Deepavali means the festival of lights. There are many legends connected with the festival. Some say that it is a celebration of sree krishna's victory over the demon narakasura; others hold that it is the day sree rama returned from exile.

Highlights
    » All houses are lit with rows and rows of small earthern oil lamps. » Special devotional rites to lakshmi. The goddess of prosperity. » Entire day of merrymaking and feasting. » Distribution of special deepavali sweets. » Fireworks and crackers.

Makaravilakku - Fairs in Kerala

Indira Gandhi Boat Race


Indira gandhi boat race on the cochin backwaters. The race is organised as part of celebration cochin.

Highlights
    » Over sixteen snake boats participate in this scintillating event. 14 january 2002

Makaravilakku


Makaravilakku at sree dharamasastha temple, sabarimala. This is one of the few occasions when the temple is open to the public.

Highlights
Onam Festivals - Fairs in Kerala
  • » On the evening of makara sankranthi, the makara vilakku/makara jyothi ( the light of kakara) is believed to be seen on the eastern horizon. Thousands of pilgrims gather here to witness the event.
  • » Special devotional rites
  • » Devotees are decreed to practise severe austerities and total abstinence for 60 days before climbing the hills to the temple.

Maramom Convention :


Thrissur Pooram - Fairs & Festivals in Kerala

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 - Fairs & Festivals in Kerala

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 :

Rajiv Gandhi Bote Race - Fairs & Festivals in Kerala

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

 

Kerala Fairs And Festival Calendar 2011-2015

In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs. We have calculated the festival dates based on these. But there can be changes in the dates according the customs and rituals associated with each place of worship. As such, these should be considered only as approximate dates and have to be confirmed with the local authorities.


Festivals 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Elephant Pageants
Adoor Gajamela 16 Jan 2011 2 Feb 2012 23 Jan 2013 9 Feb 2014 30 Jan 2015
Parippally Gajamela 27 Feb 2011 11 Mar 2012 3 Mar 2013 2 Mar 2014 1 Mar 2015
Arattupuzha Pooram 18 Mar 2011 4 Apr 2012 25 Mar 2013 15 Mar 2014 1 Apr 2015
Thrissur Pooram 12 May 2011 1 May 2012 21 Apr 2013 9 May 2014 28 Apr 2015
Uthralikavu Pooram 1 Mar 2011 28 Feb 2012 26 Feb 2013 25 Feb 2014 24 Feb 2015
Pariyanampetta Pooram 19 Feb 2011 20 Feb 2012 19 Feb 2013 19 Feb 2014 19 Feb 2015
Chinakkathoor Pooram 18 Feb 2011 7 Mar 2012 5 Feb 2013 14 Mar 2014 4 Mar 2015
Kottakkal Pooram 29 Mar to 5 Apr 2011 18 to 25 Mar 2012 5 to 11 Apr 2013 27 Mar to 1 Apr 2014 17 to 22 Mar 2015
Guruvayoor Aanayottam 16 Feb 2011 5 Mar 2012 23 Feb 2013 12 Mar 2014 2 Mar 2015
Thutha Pooram 10 May 2011 11 May 2012 14 May 2013 13 May 2014 12 May 2015
Peruvanam Pooram 15 March 2011 1 Apr 2012 22 Mar 2013 8 Apr 2014 9 Mar 2015
Boat Races
Nehru Trophy Boat Race 13 Aug 2011 11 Aug 2012 10 Aug 2013 9 Aug 2014 8 Aug 2015
Indira Gandhi Boat Race 28 Dec 2011 28 Dec 2012 28 Dec 2013 28 Dec 2014 28 Dec 2015
Aranmula Boat Race 14 Sep 2011 2 Sep 2012 23 Aug 2013 10 Sep 2014 31 Aug 2015
Champakulam Boat Race 14 July 2011 3 July 2012 23 June 2013 11 July 2014 1 July 2015
Payippad Boat Race 11 Sep 2011 31 Aug 2012 21 Aug 2013 8 Sep 2014 30 Aug 2015
Kumarakom Boat Race 11 Sep 2011 31 Aug 2012 18 Sep 2013 8 Sep 2014 30 Aug 2015
Onam
Onam 9 Sep 2011 29 Aug 2012 16 Sep 2013 7 Sep 2014 28 Aug 2015
Athachamayam 31 Aug 2011 21 Aug 2012 7 Sep 2013 29 Aug 2014 18 Aug 2015
Pulikali 12 Sep 2011 1 Sep 2012 21 Aug 2013 8 Sep 2014 30 Aug 2015
Religious Festivals
Kodungalloor Bharani 6 Apr 2011 26 Mar 2012 12 Apr 2013 2 Apr 2014 23 Mar 2015
Chettikulangara Bharani 10 Mar 2011 28 Feb 2012 16 Feb 2013 6 Mar 2014 24 Feb 2015
Kalpathi Ratholsavam 14,15,16 Nov 2011 13,14,15 Nov 2012 13,14,15 Nov 2013 14,15,16 Nov 2014 14,15,16Nov 2015
Nenmara Vallangi Vela 3 Apr 2011 2 Apr 2012 3 Apr 2013 3 Apr 2014 3 Apr 2015
Malanada Kettukazhcha 25 Mar 2011 23 Mar 2012 22 Mar 2013 28 Mar 2014 27 Mar 2015
Machattu Mamangam 22 Feb 2011 21 Feb 2012 19 Feb 2013 18 Feb 2014 17 Feb 2015
Thaipooya Mahotsavam, Koorkancherry 20 Jan 2011 7 Feb 2012 27 Jan 2013 17 Jan 2014 3 Feb 2015
Thaipooya Mahotsavam, Harippad 20 Jan 2011 7 Feb 2012 27 Jan 2013 17 Jan 2014 3 Feb 2015
Vaikathashtami Festival 19 Nov 2011 7 Dec 2012 9 Dec 2013 29 Nov 2014 19 Nov 2015
Thirunakkara Arattu 15 to 24 Mar 2011 14 to 23 Mar 2012 15 to 24 Mar 2013 15 to 24 Mar 2014 15 to 24 Mar 2015
Attuvela Mahotsavam 5 Apr 2011 25 Mar 2012 11 Apr 2013 1 Apr 2014 22 Mar 2015
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Alpashy Utsavam 3 Nov 2011 19 Nov 2012 10 Nov 2013 31 Oct 2014 18 Nov 2015
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Painkuni Utsavam 17 Apr 2011 6 Apr 2012 28 Mar 2013 14 Apr 2014 4 Apr 2015
Attukal Pongala 19 Feb 2011 7 Mar 2012 26 Feb 2013 15 Mar 2014 5 Mar 2015
Chamayavilakku, Kottankulangara 24 to 25 Mar 2011 23 to 24 Mar 2012 24 to 25 Mar 2013 24 to 25 Mar 2014 24 to 25 Mar 2015
Ambalapuzha Festival 20 to 29 Mar 2011 6 to 15 Apr 2012 28 Mar to Apr 5 2013 18 to 27 Mar 2014 4 to 13 Apr 2015
Chamakkavu Kettukazhcha 15 Apr 2011 14 Apr 2012 14 Apr 2013 15 Apr 2014 15 Apr 2015
Panachikadu Festival 28 Sep to 6 Oct 2011 15 to 24 Oct 2012 5 to 14 Oct 2013 25 Septo 4 Oct 2014 14 to 23 Oct 2015
Ettumanur Utsavam 14 Mar 2011 3 Mar 2012 21 Feb 2013 10 Mar 2014 28 Feb 2015
Kidangoor Balasubramaniya Swami Temple 11 to 20 Mar 2011 29 Feb to 9 Mar 2012 18 to 27 Feb 2013 7 to 16 Mar 2014 25 Feb to 6 Mar 2015
Aluva Sivarathri 2 Mar 2011 20 Feb 2012 10 Mar 2013 27 Feb 2014 18 Mar 2015
Urakam 06 Oct 2011 24 Oct 2012 14 Oct 2013 4 Oct 2014 23 Oct 2015
Thiruvullakavu 06 Oct 2011 24 Oct 2012 14 Oct 2013 4 Oct 2014 23 Oct 2015
Kudal Manickam 13 to 23 May 2011 2 to 12 May 2012 22 Apr to 2 Mar 2013 10 to 20 May 2014 29 Apr to 9 May 2015
Puthoor Festival 18 Mar to 8 Apr 2011 16 Mar to 13 Apr 2012 1 Mar to 12 Apr 2013 21 Mar to 11 Apr 2014 20 Mar to 10 Apr 2015
Thirumandham kunnu Pooram 9 Apr 2011 29 Mar 2012 19 Mar 2013 5 Apr 2014 26 Mar 2015
Valliyoor Kavu 15 to 28 Mar 2011 14 to 27 Mar 2012 15 to 28 Mar 2013 15 to 28 Mar 2014 15 to 28 Mar 2015
Thirunelli 15 Apr 2011 14 Apr 2012 14 Apr 2013 15 Apr 2014 15 Apr 2015
Payyannoor Subramaniya Swami Temple 17 Nov 2011 16 Nov 2012 16 Nov 2013 17 Nov 2014 17 Nov 2015
Mathoor Vinayaka Temple 14 to 18 Apr 2011 14 to 18 Apr 2012 14 to 18 Apr 2013 14 to 18 Apr 2014 14 to 18 Apr 2015
Ananthapura Lake Temple 26 Feb 2011 27 Feb 2012 26 Feb 2013 26 Feb 2014 26 Feb 2015
Loganarkavau 8 to 15 Apr 2011 28 Mar to 4 Apr 2012 18 to 26 Mar 2013 4 to 12 Apr 2014 25 Mar to 2 Apr 2015
Chottanikara 12 to 19 Mar 2011 1 to 9 Mar 2012 19 to 26 Feb 2013 8 to 17 Mar 2014 26 Feb to 7 Mar 2015
Thripoonithura Poorna Therayasha Temple 26 Oct 2011
23 to 30 Nov 2011		 25 Oct 2012
16 to 23 Oct 2012		 25 Oct 2013
3 to 10 Nov 2013		 26 Oct 2014 
24 to 31 Oct 2014		 26 Oct 2015
8 to 15 Dec 2015
Parassinikadavu , Kannur 2 Dec 2011 1 Dec 2012 1 Dec 2013 2 Dec 2014 2 Dec 2015
Konganpada 14 Mar 2011 27 Feb 2012 18 Mar 2013 10 Mar 2014 2 Mar 2015
Nerothperatoor Kovilakom 20 to 25 Jan 2011 20 to 25 Jan 2012 19 to 24 Jan 2013 19 to 24 Jan 2014 20 to 25 Jan 2015
Jaganadha Temple Thalassery 16 to 23 Feb 2011 4 to 11 Mar 2012 22 Feb to 2 Mar 2013 11 to 20 Mar 2014 1 to 10 Mar 2015
Cherthala Karthiyayani Temple 9 to 16 Apr 2011 29 Mar to 5 Apr 2012 19 to 27 Mar 2013 5 to 13 Apr 2014 26 Mar to 3 Apr 2015
Vettikode Ayilyam 18 to 24 Sep 2011 4to 11 Oct 2012 24 Septo 1 Oct 2013 11 to 18 Oct 2014 1 to 8 Oct 2015
Manarasala Ayilyam 22 Oct 2011 7 Nov 2012 28 Oct 2013 14 Nov 2014 4 Nov 2015
Guruvayoor Utsavam 16 to 25 Feb 2011 5 to 14 Mar 2012 23 Feb to 4 Mar 2013 12 to 22 Mar 2014 2 to 12 Mar 2015
Kotiyoor Utsavam 12 June to 10 July 2011 2 June to 26 July 2012 23 May to 20 June 2013 10 June to 7 July 2014 31 May to 27 June 2015
Navarathri Sangitholsavam Thiruvananthapuram 28 Sep to 6 Oct 2011 16 to 24 Oct 2012 5 to 14 Oct 2013 25 Sep to 4Oct  2014 15 to 23 Oct 2015
Guruvayoor Ekadasi 6 Dec 2011 24 Nov2012 12 Dec 2013 2 Dec 2014 22 Nov 2015
Mullackal Cherappu 17 to 27 Dec 2011 16to 26 Dec 2012 16 to 26 Dec 2013 16to 26 Dec 2014 17 to 27 Dec 2015
Mullackal Utsavam 28 Septo 6 Oct2011 16to 24 Oct 2012 5 to 14 Oct 2013 25 Sep to 4 Oct 2014 15 to 23 Oct 2015
Avoor Utsavam 14 to 23 Jan 2011 15 to 24 Jan 2012 14 to 23 Jan 2013 14 to 23 Jan 2014 15 to 24 Jan 2015
Kadampuzha Devi Temple 8 Dec 2011 28 Nov 2012 17 Nov 2013 5 Dec 2014 25 Nov 2015
Manarcad Perunnal, Kottayam 1 to 8 Sep 2011 1 to 8 Sep 2012 1 to 8 Sep 2013 1 to 8 Sep 2014 1 to 8 Sep 2015
Parumala Perunnal 2 Nov 2011 2 Nov 2012 2 Nov 2013 2 Nov 2014 2 Nov 2015
Arthungal Perunnal 20 Jan 2011 20 Jan 2012 20 Jan 2013 20 Jan 2014 20 Jan 2015
Vettukadu Perunnal to Feast of Christ, the King 14 to 21 Nov 2011 14 to 21 Nov 2012 14 to 21 Nov 2013 14 to 21 Nov 2014 15 to 22 Nov 2015
Palayoor Church 6to 7 May 2011 6to 7 May 2012 6to 7 May 2013 6to 7 May 2014 6 to 7 May 2015
Edathua 27 Aprto 27 May 2011 27 Aprto 27 May2012 27 Apr to 27 May 2013 27 Apr to 27 May 2014 27 Apr to 27 May 2015
St.Sebastian's Church 19 to 25 Jan 2011 19 to 25 Jan 2012 19 to 25 Jan 2013 19 to 25 Jan 2014 19 to 25 Jan 2015
St Mary's Church Parel 30 Novto 8 Dec2011 30 Novto 8 Dec2012 30 Nov to 8 Dec2013 30 Novto 8 Dec 2014 30 Nov to 8 Dec 2015
St George Orthodox Church, Puthupally Perunal 6to 7 May 2011 6to 7 May 2012 6to 7 May 2013 6 to 7 May 2014 6to 7 May 2015
Christmas 25 Dec 2011 25 Dec 2012 25 Dec 2013 25 Dec 2014 25 Dec 2015
Palm Sunday 17 Apr 2011 01 Apr 2012 24 Mar 2013 13 Apr 2014 29 Mar 2015
Easter 24 Apr 2011 8 Apr 2012 31 Mar 2013 20 Apr 2014 5 Apr 2015
Malayatoor 1 May 2011 15 Apr 2012 07 Apr 2013 27 Apr 2014 12 Apr 2015
Aduppootty St.George Orthodox Church Perunal 27 to 28 Oct 2011 27 to 28 Oct 2012 27 to 28 Oct 2013 27 to 28 Oct 2014 27 to 28 Oct 2015
Vallarpadam Church, Kochi 16 to 24 Sep 2011 16 to 24 Sep 2012 16 to 24 Sep 2013 16 to 24 Sep 2014 16 to 24 Sep 2015
Pattambi Nercha 6 Feb 2011 5 Feb 2012 3 Feb 2013 2 Feb 2014 1 Feb 2015
Kanjiramattom Nercha 15 Jan 2011 15 Jan 2012 14 Jan 2013 14 Jan 2014 15 Jan 2015
Theyyam
Kanathoor Nalvar Bhoothasthanam 28 Dec 2010 to 01 Jan 2011 29 Dec 2011 to 2 Jan 2012 28 Dec 2012 to 01 Jan 2013 28 Dec 2013 to 01 Jan 2014 28 Dec 2014 to 01 Jan 2015
Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy 7 to 16 Dec 2011 6 to 15 Dec 2012 6 to 15 Dec 2013 7 to 16 Dec 2014 7 to 16 Dec 2015
Kuttikkol Thampuratty Theyyam 23 to 26 Feb 2011 24 to 27 Feb 2012 23 to 26 Feb 2013 23 to 26 Feb 2014 23 to 26 Feb 2015
Muchilottu Kavu Theyyam 7 to 15 Apr 2011 27 Mar to 4 Apr 2012 17 to 25 Mar 2013 3 to 11 Apr 2014 24 Mar to 1 Apr 2015
Rituals
Neelamperoor Padayani 26 Sep 2011 15 Sep 2012 5 Sep 2013 23 Sep 2014 13 Sep 2015
Kadammanitta Padayani 14 to 21 Apr 2011 14 to 21 Apr 2012 14 to 21 Apr 2013 14 to 21 Apr 2014 15 to 22 Apr 2015
Othara Padayani 10 Apr 2011 30 Mar 2012 20 Mar 2013 6 Apr 2014 27 Mar 2015
Njangattiri Aanayoottu 17 July 2011 20 July 2012 19 July 2013 18 July 2014 17 July 2015
Attangyeru at Thirumandhamkunnu 18 Oct 2011 17 Oct 2012 17 Oct 2013 18 Oct 2014 18 Oct 2015
Karkataka Vavubali 30 July 2011 18 July 2012 6 Aug 2013 26 July 2014 14 Aug 2015
Other Festivals
Vishu 15 Apr 2011 14 Apr 2012 14 Apr 2013 15 Apr 2014 15 Apr 2015
Chembai Sangitholsavam 22 Novto 6 Dec2011 10to 24 Nov 2012 28 Novto 12 Dec 2013 18 Novto 2 Dec2014 8 to 22 Nov 2015
Swathi Sangitholsavam 6 to 12 Jan 2011 6 to 12 Jan 2012 6 to 12 Jan 2013 6 to 12 Jan 2014 6 to 12 Jan 2015
Vallathol Jayanthi Varshikam, Kalamandalam 9 to 10 Nov 2011 9 to 10 Nov 2012 9 to 10 Nov 2013 9 to 10 Nov 2014 9 to 10 Nov 2015

  • The driver Krishna was outstanding, polite, well-dressed and very patient. The road conditions were hazardous at times, but he negotiated them very capably. This is the second time I have used your company and I am extremely satisfied with your service. I will continue to recommend your company to colleagues visiting India and will be in touch for my next trip.......said Randy Bindra, USA travelled through us from 04 Mar. to 09 Mar. 2013
  • We would like to thank you and your colleagues for a very well organised three week holiday. We thoroughly enjoyed it and everything worked very well. The overnight on the houseboat was a wonderful experience, it was such a change from being on the busy road, and to have the peace, silence and tranquillity for nearly 24 hours was indeed very nice. So, we can also recommend that and the two crew were very good indeed, and we thoroughly enjoyed the meals they provided for us. It was really good experience..........said Ketty Tomes, UK travelled through us from 28 Jan. to 17 Feb. 2013
  • Thank you very much for great trip in India. My 4th trip to India has made that I’m more addicted to India than I was before (I thought that I couldn’t be more addicted but I was wrong). I tell only positive things to all my friends about my trip and TSI. Maybe my girl friend decides to visit South India with 3 other girls. I also look forward to visit Ladakh and Kashmir.........said Robert, Poland travelled through us from 29 Jan. to 13 Feb. 2013
  • Dear Manoj,
    Everyone is safely home again after our spice discovery tour, and we can definitely consider it one of our successes. Once again you won everyone’s hearts with your thoughtfulness and thoroughness in all our activities. I don’t know how we would have coped with the flight cancellations between Udaipur and Madurai if you had not been there to sort it out! ..............said Liz and Ian, Australia travelled through us from 13 Jan. to 29 Jan. 2013
  • Dear Manoj,
    Our tour of your wonderful country was fantastic. I was returning, after 36 years, but it was Helen’s first time and she loved every minute of the amazing journey. Our precious eighteen days seemed to stretch—there was so much to see and do! Each night we went to bed tired, and occasionally exhausted. And so, we really appreciated the extra effort made by all the Indian hotels to provide us with additional length in our double beds. Thanks you for making those arrangements. We were always very comfortable at night so we woke up refreshed, ready to enjoy the delights of the next day.........said Helen & Richard Walker, Australia travelled through us from 13 Jan. to 29 Jan. 2013
  • We just want to thank for the amazing service provided to us. We are very happy and impressed with all assistance and support you gave us during the whole trip......said Manha Cleusa, Brazil travelled through us from 22 Oct. to 02 Nov. 2012
  • We have enjoyed our trip to India and will certainly recommend TSI to any friends who wish to visit your beautiful country.....Dr. Chanvit, Thailand travelled through us from 11 Feb. to 20 Feb. 2012

India Tour Packages



Scroll