Kerala, one of the tenth paradises on Earth according to National Geographic travelers magazine, is the ultimate destination for tourist across the world and fairs and festivals are the integral part of Keralian tourism. Simply, fairs and festivals are celebration of life and they are perfectly reflected through its Culture and heritage. In Kerala, you can enjoy different festivals and fairs which are celebrated all over the year. The celebration period is the perfect way to explore the vibrant Keralas culture. There many famous festivals celebrated in Kerala, some are described below.
Onam- it is one of the most known festivals of kerala, celebrated during monsoon season, or harvesting season symbolizing prosperity and happiness all around. According to a local legend, the day is marked as returning of Machiavellian King Mahabali. It is ten day long fest and people decorate their house and yards. Dressed in new attire, devotees take traditional Onam-food on Banana leaf, includes traditional dishes, pappad, and payassum (sweet). Generally different traditional dances such as the Kaikkottikkali dance. Onathallu or Kayyangali, Thallu and Onappada performed especially by fair sex, on last day.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race- it is organized at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha and regarded as the biggest snake boat race in the world during Onam festival. The colorful festival attracts thousand of tourist from all over the world. More than 40 snake boats participate in the competition to celebrate life with full zeal and enthusiasm. The first Prime minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru had enchanted by the exotic charm of Alappuzha Lake and started the water carnival.
The Great Elephant March-Kerala is perfect shelter for Elephants and the great elephant festival is organized to show the grandness of Keralian temples. Dressed in ceremonial outfit; elephants are paraded with typical temple music in almost each town of the state.
The festival attracts tourist from the country as well as foreign country.
Apart from these festivals there are other festivals such as Aranmula Boat Race, Attachamayam, Cochin Carnival, Easter, Jagannath festival, Malabar Mahotaswa, Sabarimal festival, Vettukadu festival celebrated in the Green Paradise on Earth, Kerala. |
